Yahoo Sports Mauricio Pochettino can send the Real Madrid hierarchy a reminder with a strong Tottenham display
When Mauricio Pochettino was sacked by Espanyol after a 2-0 home defeat by Getafe in November 2012, not even his most ardent supporters would have predicted that his next competitive game in Spain would be in charge of Tottenham, against European champions Real Madrid.
The Argentine had done much good work at Espanyol, finishing 10th, 11th, eighth and 14th in four seasons and promoting youngsters at a club where he had two spells as a player, but at that stage he was just another unemployed coach awaiting his next move. Now he returns to his adopted country - Pochettino still has a home in Barcelona and his two sons were born there - as one of Europe’s most talented managers, prominent on the radar of the continent’s giants.
Madrid have taken Europe’s main club trophy 12 times, claiming it in three of the last four seasons. Although their defence of their Liga title has yet to find top gear, they have been typically powerful in the Champions League and, like Tottenham, they have six points from their opening two group matches.
Zinedine Zidane, the Madrid coach, labelled this “a small final”, with the winner virtually guaranteed to move into the knockout stages. Madrid’s greater quality and experience, allied to home advantage, means they start strong favourites, yet if Pochettino can cause a surprise, his admirers in Spain will follow him even more closely.
Standard Sport understands Florentino Perez, the Real Madrid president, rates Pochettino highly, though there is little chance of any movement at present. Zidane is virtually untouchable after leading Madrid to consecutive Champions League titles, as well as La Liga last season, while Pochettino said at yesterday’s press conference that he would be ready to sign a 15-year contract with Tottenham.
Fine words indeed, though it is also worth recalling Pochettino’s response to a question about Real Madrid in August 2015, as he prepared for his second season at White Hart Lane.
“Obviously one day I would love to be the Real Madrid manager but I have to go step by step,” he told Spanish radio station Onda Cero. “I need to keep learning.
“Real Madrid are a great club and I have just started my managerial career. I have been doing this just seven or eight years. But in the future, why not? Of course I would like to be the Real Madrid manager. Real Madrid are the best team in the world.”
Fun fact
When Spurs last faced Real Madrid in the Bernabeu Harry Kane made a five minute cameo for Leyton Orient against Plymouth.
Terry Gibson, who played for Tottenham from 1980-83, has an excellent understanding of Spanish football, having worked as a scout in the country for Manchester City and Bolton from 2004-07, recommending City sign Pablo Zabaleta from Espanyol.
Since the start of 2008, Gibson has worked for Sky Sports to provide expert coverage of La Liga.
He told Standard Sport: “I could see him taking a job there one day. I can’t see him at Barcelona because of his history with Espanyol. Zidane is doing a fantastic job and it is unrealistic to see him leaving any time soon but when Real Madrid are next looking for a manager, I’d expect Pochettino’s name to be at the forefront.
"This is Kane’s first match against a European superpower and he will be determined to shine. Ramos is Madrid’s relentless, powerful leader in central defence - but is prone to lapses of concentration and Kane must be ready to take advantage."
Tom Collomosse's key clash: Harry Kane vs Sergio Ramos
“Since he moved to Tottenham, people in Spain have started to take more notice of what he has done in English football. They see that he can work well with young players and make them better. In England, sometimes young players reach a certain level and then struggle to improve but Pochettino has shown at Southampton and Spurs that he can take them to another level. Tottenham are now often mentioned in Spain and Pochettino is a prominent coach who they keep a close eye on.
“Could he manage the big personalities at a club like Real Madrid? That would be the next test but I see no reason why not. If Harry Kane plays well and scores, or Spurs get a favourable result, it is great for the supporters but also a bit worrying - and I speak as a Tottenham fan! If Tottenham do well tonight, you always worry it will make Madrid look a little bit more carefully at the manager or the best players.”
How Tottenham could line-up?
Tottenham (4-3-2-1): Lloris; Aurier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen; Sissoko, Dier, Dembele; Eriksen, Son; Kane.
Kane has drawn much attention in the Spanish capital, with sports daily Marca dedicating its front page to him yesterday, and Zidane describing the 24-year-old as “a complete player”.
Zidane was similarly complimentary about Gareth Bale in the months before he left Spurs for Madrid for a then-world record £86million deal in the summer of 2013, though it would be significantly more difficult to prise Kane from Tottenham at this stage.
Spurs’ habit is to offer regular contract improvements to their players and it would be no surprise to see Kane, whose basic wage is about £100,000 a week, given better terms at some point this season. Kane has signed new deals with Tottenham in each of the last three years and has 15 goals in his last 11 games for club and country.
Pochettino added: “The most important thing is that Harry is happy at Tottenham and tomorrow, who knows where we are going to be? We have to enjoy the present. Harry enjoys playing for Tottenham a lot, he has come through the academy and he feels an affinity with the club.”
