Mauricio Pochettino: Tottenham Can Be an Even Bigger Club
Tottenham could be on the cusp of being a bigger club and join England’s “Big Five” according to Mauricio Pochettino.
On the heels of a 3-0 loss to Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Sunday, Manchester United manager, Louis van Gaal was asked a peculiar question during his post-match interview. Which was about his decision to choose the Red Devils over Spurs in the summer of 2014.
The question could be viewed as tongue-in-cheek by the reporter, but the timing was clearly intentional and was a way to work up Louis van Gaal who has had an up and down tenure with Manchester United since he became coach. Still, the answer that the Dutchman gave wasn’t wrong despite what is happening this season.
Related Story: Spurs Need Boost of Champions League
“The challenge was bigger for me at Manchester United and shall always be bigger,” said Louis van Gaal (quotes via BBC Sport),
“I’m sorry for Tottenham but Manchester United is a bigger club.”
While this season sees a young Tottenham team sitting in second place and challenging for the Premier League title, Manchester United on the otherhand are in fifth place and are battling for a top-four finish.
So it seems weird to say that the Red Devils are a bigger club now.
But remember, Louis van Gaal’s answer — although blunt despite growing up as a Tottenham fan — it was mostly aimed at the brand power for both clubs as well as trying to restore United’s image of winning championships ever since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in May 2013.
No one can realistically say that Tottenham Hotspur is a bigger club than Manchester United when you take out both club’s current season this term and just talk about the brand name itself.
There’s a reason why Man United is on par with Real Madrid as being one of the most recognizable football clubs in the world. And it’s because the Red Devils are that huge of a draw with a worldwide following.
Now that doesn’t mean that Tottenham can’t become a big club too.
In fact, Mauricio Pochettino believes Spurs can reach those heights as well in due time. And after two years on the job, there’s no reason why Tottenham can’t be a big club too.
“Tottenham has the potential to improve and be better in the future — a new stadium, an unbelievable training centre, an unbelievable academy, good staff and people,” Pochettino said prior to Sunday’s 3-0 win over Manchester United (quotes via ESPN FC).
“I think Tottenham have all the ingredients to be a potentially bigger club than we are now.”
More from Hotspur HQ
- Storybook ending after difficult period for Tottenahm’s Richarlison
- Tottenham comeback showcased invaluable intangible Ange has cultivated
- Tottenham player ratings in 2-1 comeback win over Sheffield United
- Tottenham projected starting 11 for Sheffield United
- Tottenham’s Richarlison says he’s going to seek psychological help
Now while it’ll be a long way to catch up to Manchester United and Real Madrid, Tottenham could realistically rival Manchester City as a big club.
The Citizens have recently earned their “big five” status by winning two Premier League titles and signing world-class footballers over the years.
And truthfully, Man City came out of nowhere to disrupt the Premiership’s “Big Four” to make it a Big Five. So why can’t Tottenham be added in as well when they’re constantly looked as a top six club anyways?
The only difference of course is Spurs’ business model which is vastly different than England’s big five. Tottenham have shown that they can sign talented players who fits the style of football that Mauricio Pochettino, Paul Mitchell and Daniel Levy are looking for but do so in cost effective ways rather than overspending.
Of course, the new TV deal that is set to kick-in next season will be a big difference maker that could see the top teams find themselves in a fight with bottom and mid-table clubs for years to come.
Next: Tottenham Player Ratings: Home vs Manchester United
“In the present and the future it will be difficult for the top sides to stay competitive,” Mauricio Pochettino added. “The teams below will be more competitive.”
“The income from the next few seasons is bigger, they can sign better players. Here, every season, the gap is reducing.”