Pochettino Convinced Hugo Lloris to Remain at Tottenham

Tottenham could have had a different goalkeeper these past two seasons if Hugo Lloris left. But a meeting between Lloris and Mauricio Pochettino helped convinced the French ‘keeper to remain with Spurs.

Hugo Lloris is Tottenham’s number one goalkeeper, the team captain and one of the key veteran players on a young squad. But before two good seasons with Spurs, the French international’s mind was almost made up and that his future at Tottenham was in doubt. That is, until he met Mauricio Pochettino.

It may have been four years ago that former Spurs mananger, André Villas-Boas, first signed Hugo Lloris from Olympique Lyon before getting sacked a year later with Tim Sherwood following him just as quickly.

With two managers sacked in two years after Lloris recently joined, it’s not surprising that the 29-year-old had his doubts about whether Tottenham were a good fit for him with turmoil happening off the pitch at the managerial position.

Not to mention a club who weren’t top-four or Champions League contenders.

After Mauricio Pochettino signed as Spurs’ latest manager on May 2014 following Sherwood’s dismissal, he would hold a meeting with Hugo Lloris. It was at this moment when the French international felt at ease.

“I had some concern and I questioned myself a bit two years ago, after AVB and Tim Sherwood were in charge,” Lloris said (quotes via London Evening Standard).

ENFIELD, ENGLAND – MARCH 31: Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur runs through drills during the Tottenham Hotspur training session on March 31, 2016 in Enfield, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images) /

“I think the first meeting with Mauricio Pochettino was very clear for me, for my future.”

“I think I trusted him since the first second I met him, and because I really understand what he wants, fully agree about his football view.”

“I can say we have the same football view and he’s brought a lot to the team and the players.”

It took a while before Mauricio Pochettino was finally able to put his stamp on the club’s squad after inheriting a team comprised of mostly failed transfers the year before after the sale of Gareth Bale, thanks in large part to Franco Baldini.

But despite not being able to bring in players that he wanted during his first year as coach, Pochettino was able to make his first couple of moves in January. Starting with the signings of DeAndre Yedlin from Seattle Sounders and Dele Alli from MK Dons.

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Fast forward to last summer and the team is no doubt molded by Mauricio Pochettino, Paul Mitchell and John McDermott with Daniel Levy chipping in as well — most notably Levy’s decision to fly to Madrid to seal a deal with Atlético Madrid for Toby Alderweireld.

After a major overhaul with players being sold who didn’t fit into his scheme, Pochettino now had a squad that he could work with and help Tottenham reach new heights in just two seasons.

“It’s not only about him,” Hugo Lloris added. “It’s about the players, how they take all he gives. It’s only up to the players.”

“If they want to improve, individually, if they want to be involved in the team, he will do everything to satisfy them and to change them into top players.”

“If the player doesn’t want to go in this way, it’s difficult for the players to improve.”

“So I think he’s very fair with all the players in the squad and after it depends, it’s up only to the players. That’s why it’s very positive inside the changing room.”

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For as good as the team has been overall in Mauricio Pochettino’s two seasons, a big part of that has been down to Hugo Lloris’ work as the team’s starting goalkeeper.

Even this year, with Tottenham’s back four more improved and the fact that Lloris has rarely been called into action, the French international still has managed to be a key figure to help Spurs reach second place this season with a potential league title within their grasp with four games remaining and eight points behind Leicester City.

Quite frankly, without Hugo Lloris, Tottenham wouldn’t be as good as they are now. And for that, obviously Mauricio Pochettino is to thank for by convincing Lloris to stay and commit his future with Spurs.

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