Tottenham: Mauricio Pochettino must stay at White Hart Lane

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is building something special at White Hart Lane and must stay even if bigger and wealthier clubs come calling.

When the final whistle blew on Sunday at the Etihad Stadium, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino raised his hands in celebration as his charges took down another of their title contenders. He knew his side was extremely fortunate to come away with a win but three points all count the same no matter the circumstances.

In this case however, those points were even more valuable for two reasons. The first being that they were gained at the expense of a team that started the day just one point behind, and the second being that they had leapfrogged Arsenal in to second place. Goal difference is the only thing that separates the London rivals but it is enough to decide a title should it come down to it.

This topsy-turvy Premier League season could end up in one of the most exciting finishes in the competition’s history but lost in that shadow is the work that Pochettino has done at White Hart Lane. Leicester City may be the story of the season but equally impressive is what Spurs have accomplished so far.

Pochettino has taken a team known for underachieving and shrinking in big moments, and has turned them in to a dynamic and exciting side paired with the best defense in the league. Rarely is a team built so solid from the back and so free flowing and aggressive in attack.

More from Playing for 90

The Argentine manager has always been known for setting up his sides to play an attacking style of football and did so with great success on limited resources at Southampton. It took him a while to mold Spurs in to the team we see today and there were plenty of doubters at first.

Many compared him to Andres Villas Boas and used the Portuguese’s superior record to prove that he should still be the manager at the Lane. Now, Spurs fans are dreaming of a title and a possible domestic double, something AVB never came close to achieving.

What is most remarkable about Pochettino’s achievements so far is that he has succeeded in the transfer market where other Spurs managers have failed. Previous managers brought in flops like Roberto Soldado and Paulinho, while Pochettino has brought in immediate contributors in Kieran Trippier, Toby Alderweireld, and Heung-Min Son.

It is not so much that Pochettino has spent less or more than the others, it is that he has spent more wisely than others. He has also promoted several youth players in to first team while other clubs may have purchased them and loaned them out or sent them on loan from the youth teams. While he may not be able to take credit for the emergence of Harry Kane from the youth ranks, he can take credit for giving Delle Alli and Eric Dier their chances in the first team.

This grassroots building of the club using both youth players and smart purchases in the market has turned Tottenham from perennial underacheivers to legitimate title contenders. Even if they do not lift the title they are 10 points ahead of Manchester United in fifth and are a near-lock for a Champions League place next season.

With this current squad of young players who will only get better, Spurs and Pochettino are primed for a lengthy stay at the top of the Premier League and will enjoy the spoils that come with it. That is why no matter who comes calling, Mauricio Pochettino must stay at White Hart Lane and enjoy the fruits of his labor when they are good and ripe.

Home/Premier League