SAY IT AIN’T SO, MAURICIO
Eight days ago Mauricio Pochettino signed a bumper new five-year deal with Tottenham and professed to being “honoured to have a new long-term contract as we approach one of the most significant period in the club’s history,” especially as “this is a special club: we always strive to be creative in the way we work both on and off the pitch and will continue to stick to our principles.” But that was eight days ago. A long, long time ago in a reality far, far away.
Now, Real Madrid need a manager and they’ve put Pochettino top of their wish list. Yikes! So whither those principles to which one must stick, especially as this is still one of the most significant periods in Spurs’ history? “When Madrid call you, you have to listen to them,” Pochettino was quoted as parping in Spanish organ El Confidencial. Oh. At a subsequent press conference later on Friday in Barcelona, Pochettino expanded on his thoughts about being linked with Madrid.
“I’m very happy at Tottenham,” he stressed. “It would be disrespectful to Daniel [for me to force a move]. I’ve just renewed with Tottenham and I am happy.” But what will happen if Real come knocking on Spurs’ front door, ie a Portakabin beside the yet-to-be-completed White Hart Lane 2? “I live in the present - there is nothing more important than that,” replied Pochettino as Richard Madeley urged the reporter to terminate the interview.
“I enjoy what is happening and what has to be will be,” Pochettino chuntered on. “The link now with Madrid is normal and I take it with all normality.” Normal is right. For how else do you replace a gaffer who has won three Big Cups in less than three years than with one who has never even got a trophy in a Kinder egg? Pochettino does, in fairness, have four Premier League manager of the month awards to his name – the same number as Wee Gordon Strachan and Joe Feckin’ Kinnear. And only two fewer than Big Sam Allardici!
So now seems as good time to recall that 2010 interview in which Big Sam declared: “I’m not suited to Bolton or Blackburn, I would be more suited to Internazionale or Real Madrid. It wouldn’t be a problem to me to go and manage those clubs because I would win the Double or the league every time.”
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“I slept by the club’s door and when I got up in the morning I noticed the coins that people had dropped for me. They had thought I was a beggar! Well, I had a delicious breakfast for the first time in a long while” – Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand on his incredible journey from homelessness to the 2018 World Cup. And you can learn more about Team Melli’s tactics and star players here.
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Got, got, got, need ... Michael Butler delves into the wild world of Panini sticker collecting.
THE FIVEЯ
Yes, it’s our not-singing, not-dancing World Cup Fiver. Out every Thursday lunchtime BST, here’s the latest edition, featuring Paul the Octopus.
FIVER LETTERS
“Who else fancies Arsène [Out] to get IN at Real Madrid and finally get past the round of Arsenal? He may even end up winning Big Cup three times in a row while Unai Emery keeps finishing fifth. You may as well chuck in a few Emirates Cups too, just to really rub it into those Outers’ wounds.” – Ben North.
“Does anyone know the Spanish for ‘a pint of wine, please?’” – Matt Dony.
“Relatively new to European football so please excuse the possibly silly question: Avram Grant seems to be the punchline to every ‘bad manager’ joke. Is he really that bad?” – Ron Stack. [over to you, readers – Fiver Ed]
Send your letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. And if you’ve nothing better to do you can also tweet The Fiver. Today’s winner of our prizeless letter o’the day is … Matt Dony.
MORE RECOMMENDED VIEWING
David Squires makes his move, and does it at the right time, as he looks back at England and New Order’s ‘World in Motion’. Balearic.
THE RECAP
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NEWS, BITS AND BOBS
Gareth Southgate has backed Raheem Sterling over this week’s teacup-based tabloid brouhaha. “In my view a tattoo is like any work of art,” Southgate opined as hot jets of steam whistled from Piers Morgan’s ears. “It’s a very individual meaning ... what has been clear is that he is not someone who wants to promote guns in the way that was perceived at first.”
Chelsea have put two fingers up to Maurizio Sarri’s £7m release clause at Napoli, with the club now pondering other ways of getting their man.
Frankie Lampard insists he is ready to play the tough guy at Derby. “Brutal is a strong word but you can’t go into management seeing it any other way,” he beamed.
In a move that might not look so clever when the next Premier League middleweight comes calling, a Burnley pub has renamed itself The Royal Dyche.
Nasty Leeds are looking for their 10th manager since 2014 after disposing of Paul Heckingbottom. “We are confident of making a quick appointment,” soothed managing director Angus Kinnear.
Paul Tisdale is the longest-serving Football League manager no more – he’s packing up his smart-casual wardrobe and leaving Exeter after 12 years. Shrewsbury, meanwhile, have found Paul Hurst’s replacement ... Macclesfield’s John Askey.
Premier League Wolves have splashed Premier League money – circa £25m – to activate permanent deals for striker Benik Afobe and defender Willy Boly.
Wolves are also keen on goalkeeper Rui Patrício, who has attempted to terminate his contract at crisis-hit Sporting Lisbon after his Molineux move was blocked. Sporting have responded ... by turning their fax machine off.
And an Everton fan has been jailed for eight weeks after attacking Lyon players ... while holding his toddler in October.
STILL WANT MORE?
Viv Anderson dipped into our shiny interactive to pick his all-time England XI – spearheaded by Alan Shearer. And you can give it a whirl here ...
The worst World Cup game ever? Greg Lea has plumped for Switzerland v Ukraine (2006).
From shots on target to embracing club culture, Andy Hunter delves into Marco Silva’s in-tray to find out what he needs to prioritise at Everton.
David Silva is Spain’s Lionel Messi, with the lungs of a marathon runner, writes Diego Torres. And get the full lowdown on La Roja, who are smiling again after a few years of hurt.
Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique … and now Zinedine Zidane all offer proof that coaching Spain’s super-clubs can be intolerable, so-says Jacob Steinberg.
Thomas Lemar to Liverpool? Chelsea to land Higuaín? Welcome to today’s Mill.
