Comparing Mourinho’s first 50, Pochettino’s last 50 matches at Tottenham
By Gary Pearson
Maurcio’s last 50 matches
Mauricio Pochettino’s last 50 matches became increasingly strained. His relationship with Daniel Levy also showed signs of fragility, their unbreakable bond showing signs of fissures. Under the public microscope, they put on a bold, professional and steadfast act, portraying, if only for the cameras, that their bond remained intact, impenetrable.
But the on-field results told an another, altogether tenuous tale. The comedown from Tottenham’s mortifying Champions League Final defeat was as dejecting as it was irreparable. But the Premier League rot with Mauricio in control began before the fateful final. The writing, even though Mauricio didn’t yet know it, started showing irreversibly on the wall.
An abysmal start to the 2019-20 campaign sealed Mauricio’s fate. People started questioning his methods, his uncompromising nature. Steadfast, if not stubborn, Mauricio stuck to his laurels, unmoved by popular opinion.
But it became unsustainable after five years in charge, an impressive reign blighted by his inability to secure a trophy. How things would have changed had Spurs showed up against Liverpool in Madrid. Thought let’s not permit those recurring nightmares to resurface.
His first year and a half in charge was magisterial, unmatched in terms of energy, excitement, passion and overall bravado. He revolutionized how Spurs played, his style demanding respect from every side in Europe. Unfortunately I’m not focussing on the height of Mauricio’s might at Spurs. His last 50 matches were a far cry from the glory years, with the Argentinian winning 26, drawing seven and losing 17. His Spurs scored 85 goals while allowing 56, his record equating to a 52 percent winning ratio.
Next. Three takeaways from West Ham loss. dark
Pochettino’s reign endured a precipitous decline in the latter stages of his tenure, eventually leading to his dismissal. Whereas Jose’s first 50 matches in charge should, based on historical context and an obligatory honeymoon stage, yield a much higher winning percentage.
The stats, however, tell an entirely different tale. How do you compare Pochettino and Mourinho’s last 50 games in charge?