Spurs kill Pochettino’s dream to manage Real Madrid
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has been talking about Real Madrid. He told us he’d have to listen if the Spanish club offered him the manager’s job. He gave Real a heads up about Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, saying the tough negotiator “bites”. Now the Mail says “Pochettino was, for all intents and purposes, offered the vacant manager’s job.” And: “He turned his back on his dream, knowing it would lead to questions over loyalty.”
That’s Pochettino who cut short his Southampton contract to manage Spurs.
The Mail then hammers home its point that Pottechino rejected Real not because he didn’t want the job, rather because he is principled:
Mauricio Pochettino rejected the chance to become Real Madrid’s next manager because he didn’t want to labelled a mercenary.
And:
Pochettino was offered the vacant position after Zinedine Zidane’s (right) departure.
Says who?
But sources claim the Argentine turned his back on a dream switch to Real, knowing such a move would lead to serious questions over his loyalty.
What sources? The Mail mentioned none.
Knowing chairman Daniel Levy would rebuff any approach from Spain, Pochettino knew he would have to force the issue if he wanted the Real job. It’s now apparent that Pochettino was unwilling to risk his reputation, fearing his integrity would suffer an irreparable blow.
It all reads like a PR missive. Only yesterday Guillem Balague was talking. The Spurs manager had been on a trip to Spain to plug his new book, Brave New World: Inside Pochettino’s Spurs – by Guillem Balague. Balague said Levy had scuppered any hope Pochettino had of managing Real. Now we get “sources” telling us that Levy and the manager’s conscience ended Pochettino’s “dream”.
Words from Real Madrid: nil. Facts to support the sources claims: nil.
PS: Real Madrid usually get their man.
27 Jun 2012: Tottenham’s Gareth Bale signs new four-year contract.
23 May 2013: “Gareth Bale to sign new Tottenham contract worth £150,000 a week” (Guardian)
1 September 2013: Gareth Bale agreed a £300,000 per week to join Real Madrid.
It’s not over yet. Everyone has their price at Spurs.
Posted: 5th, June 2018 | In: Back pages, Sports, Spurs Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
