Are we on the road to greater things now?

Will Pochettino stay or go?

There have been quite a few suggestions that our manager will be whizzed way to another club, such as Real Madrid or United or whomever the press pick at any given time. As he creates a team challenging for honours it isn’t surprising that his name will be linked to other clubs. But will he go? My answer is no. And I’ll tell you why.

Such clubs as Real Madrid will pay millions for a manager like Pochettino and then give him millions to create a team. And to me here lies the problem.

Clubs like Madrid or United or Chelsea or even City want instant success and if not their manager will be shown the door. They won’t have time to build/ nurture a player(s). If he isn’t up to it immediately (the player that is) he will be shown the door. And even if he achieves success in that one season he then must recreate it every season and if not he (Pochettino) will be thrown on the slag heap.

Then there are the superstar players he will have to manage and get to play his system (which Pochettino has done so successfully at Tottenham). I am not suggesting that he would be unable to adapt, as adapt he will. But I think he will look which side is bread is buttered.

Pochettino likes working with the young, this is because he can mould them to his way of thinking. An older player/ more experienced player (that can easily be purchased by a club like Real) will come to the club and Pochettino will say “I want you to do this and this…” and that player will tell him where to go. He’ll say that he was bought for the way he plays, not the way he (Poch) wants him to play. He also works the players hard and a more seasoned – expensive player – might not appreciate his work ethic.

Pochettino expects loyalty, if they don’t conform they are then sidelined (Walker being a good example and then let go). At Spurs his players are devoted to him. Hugo Lloris was planning to leave, now wants to stay. The same can be said about the other players. So-called top caliber players are more mercenary in their outlook and chairman of clubs like United, City, Chelsea or Real would tell their manager to ‘play the game’ and get on with it or leave.

When Pochettino joined this club he landed on his feet and would be a fool to leave what he started, for an unsure future. I am not saying it would be impossible, as nothing is impossible… but unlikely.

Pochettino is adored by the fans and players alike. Why would he want to give that up? And another thing. Pochettino buys into Levy’s philosophy, both are made for each other.

I also believe that Pochettino can see himself as a great Spurs manager. Many people condemned our move to Wembley and with a shaky start, who could blame them. But we are getting there. We’ve pissed on the so-called Wembley jinx and we’ve had one of the world’s greatest European victories, beating Real Madrid 3-1 at Wembley. They said (critics and journalists alike… including some supporters) “we have the hardest group” in the Champions League and “the way we performed in the Europa Cup last season” we won’t be lasting long in this competition. Where are we now? Top of that H group and undefeated and have already booked our place in the next round (Real Madrid haven’t yet).

But if that isn’t reason enough, Levy and Co are building something special in North London and I am sure he wants to be a part of that.

Of course, some of you will disagree and I can understand why. Only time will tell, but whether you agree with my prognosis or not I bet you hope I am right.

I have been going to Spurs a very long time, seen great times and near disasters… but through it all I stayed loyal and had faith that we will get there eventually. With the building of an expensive stadium, Levy and the board need to fill it. But loyalty alone won’t do that. What brings the fans or supporters in (apart from the hard loyal ones like myself) is a success. Levy has been lucky with Pochettino and his move to Wembley. A few years ago, he would have been sold a turkey with Wembley (if it happened then). He would have struggled to fill the stadium and we would have moved from there to another turkey (even though it would have been a great stadium). No, I can’t see Pochettino leaving and Levy will do everything he can to make him comfortable and at home. I see Pochettino going down as one of our greatest managers.  He’ll stay.

Yours Truly, Don Scully