Tottenham Coach, Mauricio Pochettino, Hits Out At Fake Managerial Niceties

 

Mauricio Pochettino has hit out at the Premier League's fake managerial niceties, revealing he never called Claudio Ranieri to congratulate the Italian on Leicester's improbable title drive. Leicester edged out Spurs to claim their maiden top-flight crown last season, with Ranieri landing an elusive first career league triumph.

Pochettino insisted he had not snubbed Ranieri - instead refusing to indulge English traditions he feels would compromise his managerial integrity. Spurs boss forced himself to watch Leicester's title celebrations on TV the night Ranieri's men sealed their triumph - then put both himself and his frustrations to bed.

He said “No, I never phoned him, I relayed my message in the press conference after the Chelsea game. My first sentence was to congratulate them and to send a message through the TV. I am not fake - I was not happy. It is like when we are fighting on the bench with the other bench and the culture here is to share a glass of wine in the manager's room. Why? In front of the TV, 'Look at me, I am very brave, fighting with everyone', and then inside like, 'I am very sorry for my behaviour, all the best, cheers, let us have a glass of wine'. Very fake. I am not fake. I congratulate him and all the fans of Leicester and the coaching staff and players, but I wasn't happy.”

Spurs host Leicester on Saturday with Harry Kane and Toby Alderweireld still missing through knee problems, though both could be back in action by the north London derby at Arsenal on November 6.