Mauricio Pochettino, the current manager of Chelsea, reflects on his journey in English football as he approaches his 400th game as a manager in the country. The Argentine expresses his gratitude for the opportunity to coach in England, stating that it was one of the best decisions he has ever made in his life.
Pochettino’s English football career began with Southampton, where he was convinced to join by his wife and friend Jesus Perez. Reflecting on his time at Southampton, he describes it as a dream come true and expresses his admiration for the football culture in England. He feels comfortable in the country and considers it his second home.
After his successful spell at Southampton, Pochettino went on to manage Tottenham Hotspur for five years. During his tenure, he achieved remarkable milestones, including leading the team to the Champions League final in the 2018-19 season, the League Cup final in his first full season, and securing a second-place finish in the Premier League in 2017.
Despite these achievements, Pochettino was eventually sacked by Tottenham in 2019. However, he harbors no ill feelings towards his former club and looks forward to facing them in an upcoming match against Chelsea. He acknowledges that it will be an emotional experience to meet the people he worked with for a long period of time.
As Pochettino settles into his role as Chelsea manager, he faces criticism from some fans. Despite the club’s significant investment in transfers, Chelsea currently sits ninth in the Premier League and is five points away from a probable European qualification spot. However, there have been promising results from Pochettino’s young side, including a convincing 4-1 victory over Tottenham earlier in the season.
In conclusion, Mauricio Pochettino’s journey in English football has been a mix of triumphs and challenges. From his humble beginnings at Southampton to his successful stint at Tottenham, he has experienced both highs and lows. As he reaches his 400th game as a manager in England, Pochettino remains grateful for the opportunity to coach in a country that he now considers his second home. Despite the criticism he faces as Chelsea’s manager, he remains determined to lead his young team to success and continues to cherish the memories he made during his time at Tottenham.