On Saturday night, as we all know Tottenham face Premier League rivals Liverpool in the Champions League final at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid. The game is obviously a massive one. In fact, it is the first ever Champions League final for Tottenham. Much of the credit for Tottenham’s final appearance must go to highly-rated boss Mauricio Pochettino.
Pochettino has been brilliant despite poor backing
Mauricio Pochettino has developed into one of the top bosses in the Premier League, if not in Europe. His work at Espanyol and Southampton impressed, but it was not until the Argentinian joined Spurs that people started taking notice of his managerial talent.
At Southampton, he was involved in some recruitment that made the Saints a much stronger team and more financially secure. He has repeated the trick in north London.
He has created a team that plays excellent football on a shoestring budget compared to the teams around them. The fact that he has managed to keep his team in and around the top-four for the past few seasons is extraordinary.
The backing he has had and what he has achieved in the Premier League, as well, of course, the Champions League deserves better backing from the club’s hierarchy.
The club needs to invest to keep Pochettino
The fact that the last player to arrive at Tottenham was Lucas Moura 18 months ago is simply incredible. Much was made about Spurs lack of summer signings. Some will say that the fact that they made the Champions League final showed the wisdom in the decision.
However, getting to the Champions League final should not paper over the fact that Spurs fell even further behind the top teams in the Premier League. The team from north London finished fourth-place in the English top-flight, just one point above arch-rivals Arsenal.
In truth, Manchester City and Liverpool are miles ahead of every team in the league, including Pochettino’s team. Every time has to invest wisely in the transfer market this summer to get anywhere near the pair next season.
Tottenham have done well to keep finishing in the top-four. However, their rivals will continue to strengthen their squads. If the club has any hope of retaining the lucrative top-four spot, then they have to invest in better players.
Pochettino has been incredibly loyal to Tottenham considering the lack of backing from the club’s hierarchy. The Argentinian hinted at his frustration in a recent interview when he said the club must start to operate in a different way.
That was almost a plea for better backing. Win, lose or draw Saturday’s final, Tottenham needs to back him or risk losing him. Unfortunately for the north London club, there are very few signs that they are prepared to back the Argentine.
Tottenham are underdogs in the final
Spurs head into Saturday’s final as underdogs for victory at odds of 17/5. However, they were also underdogs to progress from their quarter-final clash with Premier League champions Manchester City and came through that tie.
There is a sense though, that Liverpool are determined to make up for not winning the title this season. The Reds will no doubt be tough opposition for Pochettino’s team this weekend. They do have a fighting chance, though.
Speculation in the media suggests that Pochettino could quit as Tottenham boss if they win the Champions League. I am not sure how much truth is in that, but you can see the reasoning if he did.
Tottenham are a long way off winning the Premier League. The hierarchy are not going to suddenly change their whole transfer policy this summer. The club’s main objective seems to be money.
It is all well and good being a well-run club. There is no point in doing all the hard work only to stand still and that is arguably what they would do if Pochettino leaves in the summer.
Will the Tottenham hierarchy back Pochettino this summer in the transfer market?
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