Mauricio Pochettino deserves to be linked with Real Madrid and Manchester United thanks to his achievements at Tottenham, according to full-back Danny Rose.
The Argentine led Spurs to the Champions League knockout stages for a second consecutive season this week thanks to a 1-1 draw at Barcelona, and a little luck with results going their way, despite having only taken a point from the first three group stage games.
It is arguably his finest achievement since arriving at Spurs from Southampton four-and-a-half years ago. However, while he is often praised, Pochettino is, of course, yet to win a trophy at Tottenham and is often cited as the first choice with top clubs around the world, with both United and Real Madrid persistently mentioned, where – the theory goes – he is more likely to win something.
“It’s no coincidence that every day you read Real Madrid want him or United want him,” Rose told the Guardian.
“It’s exactly what he deserves. What he has done here in the last four or five years has been amazing. He has transformed how others think of us outside the club and he has transformed how we think of ourselves and how we approach big games.
“The belief he gives everybody is just amazing. For example, Kyle Walker-Peters made a mistake in Barcelona but it will not affect what the manager thinks of him. He will stick with Kyle no matter what. That’s the sort of man he is: once you win his trust it will take an awful lot to break that. He has been amazing for myself and this club, and we hope he is here for a very long time.”
Pochettino has spoken of this season being his biggest challenge as a manager, with a number of injuries following the World Cup, stadium delays and – most challenging perhaps – no summer signings.
In Pictures | Barcelona vs Tottenham | 11/12/2018
“It’s no secret all the teams have spent a lot more than what we have,” Rose continued. “The manager did not make any signings in the summer and he is probably not going to make any in January. Why do I say that? Well, I’ve not heard anything so I am guessing. So for him to do what he has done and what he is doing now speaks volumes. Like I said, it’s no coincidence big teams are being linked with him.”
