Boss no Maur
Pochettino tells Spurs to change job title from manager to ‘coach’ in bizarre transfers outburst
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MAURICIO POCHETTINO insisted he is no longer involved in transfers at Spurs — and called for his title to be changed from manager to coach.
Poch’s bizarre outburst came after he refused to answer questions on Danny Rose’s future and possible new signings.
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The Tottenham chief, who saw his side beat Real Madrid 1-0 in Munich last night, said all deals were down to chairman Daniel Levy.
He rapped: “I am not in charge of this. I know nothing about the situation of my players, I am only coaching them, trying to get the best from them.
“Things that may or may not happen — sell or buy players, extend contracts or not extend contracts — it’s not in my hands, it’s in the club’s hands and in Daniel Levy’s hands.
“At the moment I am just managing the team in the best way possible.”
Pochettino has been prickly all summer when asked about transfers.
He was on a committee with Levy, academy boss John McDermott and chief scout Steve Hitchen.
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Poch is listed on Tottenham’s website as ‘Manager’ but last night he said: “Maybe the club need to change my title description now, because my job now is to coach the team.
“I am not in charge about individual situations. I am the boss designing the strategy to train, to play, the methodology, the philosophy in my area.
“But in another area . . . today, I think I am the coach.”
Asked if his role had changed recently, he replied: “That is not a question for me. I am only the person on the touchline managing the team.
“I don’t have an answer. I can only tell you what is my concern.”
Pochettino guided Tottenham to their first Champions League final last month when they were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool in Madrid.
The Argie, who took over at White Hart Lane in May 2014, threatened to quit unless he received certain assurances from Levy over the club’s ambitions. It was thought the pair would now be singing from the same song-sheet but his comments suggest otherwise.
Pochettino is famed for being pictured welcoming new signings in his club blazer.
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This summer, Spurs have brought in midfielder Tanguy Ndombele in a club-record £65million deal and £10m forward Jack Clarke from Leeds, who has been loaned back to the Yorkshiremen.
It is hard to believe Poch has no say in new arrivals at the club he has helped put back on the map.
But he said: “It’s difficult to talk like this but it’s not in my hands. I think it’s important for the players and the people to know.
“Like I told you before, I’m going to be happy with the squad the club gives me and, of course, we’ll try to get the best results.
“I am emotional but I am a person, like everyone, who thinks a lot and changes my view.
“I only describe the situation to make things clear. If you have some questions, I’m not the person to answer what you want.”
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