Mauricio Pochettino speaks of his love for Tottenham and insists he would like to manage the Premier League again someday
Mauricio Pochettino and Harry Kane during their time together at Tottenham (Image: PA)
Mauricio Pochettino has revealed how Harry Kane was held back by bad habits when he took over as Tottenham manager. However, some harsh words from the Argentine to Kane set him on the path to becoming one of the best strikers in the world.
Pochettino admitted Kane was not even close to breaking into Tottenham’s first team when he replaced Tim Sherwood in 2014.
However, Pochettino gave him a new training schedule, which helped change the striker’s career. Kane became Tottenham’s record scorer with 280 goals in all competitions.
Kane also overtook Wayne Rooney to become England’s leading marksman, scoring 54 goals in 46 appearances for Bayern Munich this season and helping them win back-to-back Bundesliga titles.
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However, Pochettino admitted things could have been different as Kane was not professional enough.
“When Tim Sherwood left the club and we came in, I think Harry Kane was the third or fourth striker,” Pochettino told the Stick to Football podcast.
“When we started working with Harry, we could see that his mindset was determined to succeed.
“Certainly he didn’t have the best habits, but after we talked to him, he was very smart and was able to change those habits (training, eating, etc.) quickly. We’re proud, but it’s him and the people next to him that made him successful.”
Pochettino, who will manage the hosts USA at this summer’s World Cup, has hinted at a return to Tottenham in the future after admitting he would like to manage in the Premier League again someday.
Mauricio Pochettino hopes to one day manage the Premier League again (Image: GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
He added: “One day, yes, because I love England. I think my personal profile and my profile as a coach align very well with the Premier League and the culture, the mindset, the idiosyncrasies, the philosophy.”
“I really love Tottenham. Tottenham is one of the most important parts of my life as a coach and in my personal life. I can tell you from my experience at Tottenham that they are one of the biggest clubs in the world.
“I think when we were competing there, we were competing against the big guys.”
This week’s Stick to Football podcast is now available on YouTube and all major podcast platforms. Go to https://youtu.be/ao10sfPjSKU
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