Tottenham manager, Mauricio Pochettino has praised his Arsenal counterpart ahead of the weekend’s North London Derby.
Tottenham will visit The Emirates this Saturday to see who gets the North London bragging rights. St. Totteringham finally took a rest last season when Tottenham finished above the Gunners for the first time in 21 seasons, since Arsene Wenger took over. Foundation of Tottenham’s recent success has been a talented young squad and Mauricio Pochettino’s ability to get the best out of each of them.
Arsène Wenger, for all his criticism, is still the longest serving manager in England’s top flight with 21 years at the helm. Pochttetino has said that he wants to “be like Wenger one day”.
Pochettino lauds Arsene Wenger as a ”Special Manager”
“In football history, he is one of the great managers, the same level as [Sir Alex] Ferguson. He will always be a special manager,” the Tottenham boss said during his pre-match interview. The two managers have faced each other seven times in all competitions since Mauricio Pochettino was appointed the manager at White Hart Lane. The Tottenham boss has won two, Arsene Wenger has won just one and the remaining four matches have been well-fought draws.
“To keep motivation more than three years is difficult. Five years you must be very, very good if you’re ten years. When you talk about 20 years it’s amazing. Everyone who talks about him needs to show him respect. Some days you’re good, some days not so good. But [show] respect.”
This is what stands Mauricio Pochettino apart from every other manager in our Premier League, the respect and the humbleness of the man. #COYS
#THFCpic.twitter.com/z52NnExMfh
— Last Word On Spurs (@LastWordOnSpurs) November 16, 2017
“Wenger was an innovator, ahead of everyone, like Ferguson. It’s difficult to innovate but you must try to create a project under your ideas and philosophies to take you ahead of other clubs. They were ahead. That’s why my respect and admiration is high.”
Pochettino further added, “I tell the truth to you. Why show different emotion if you don’t believe that? I need to be honest and fair. He is my enemy because he is Arsenal manager but he is my colleague too. What he is doing at Arsenal and as a manager- I would like to be like him one day; 20 years at Tottenham.”
Author’s Take
When Arsene Wenger arrived at Arsenal they were one of the most defensive teams in the league. Le Professeur’s training techniques and on-field tactics turned around the club as well as the English game with him winning a Premier League title, an FA Cup and a World Manager of the Year in his first three years as the Arsenal boss. However, ironically he has in recent times been under a lot of criticism for his inability to change.
Meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino has been working wonders for Spurs since his arrival but has yet to win a trophy with the Lily Whites. Wenger, for all his inability, has won three FA Cups in the last 4 season. Pochettino needs to win trophies to validate the great work he is doing with the young squad. He would do well to emulate the legendary career Arsene Wenger has made for himself.
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