Tottenham boss Pochettino vindicated by decision to stay and ‘touch the glory’ with Spurs
TOTTENHAM boss Mauricio Pochettino says he was right to target football’s biggest prizes.
And the Argentine believes Spurs can now “touch the glory.”
Poch says Saturday’s Champions League final against Liverpool is vindication of his determination to turn the club into an elite force in Europe.
Critics point to Poch failing to win a trophy in five years in charge.
But, ahead of the biggest week in Spurs’ history, he said: “When we talked about having the capacity to challenge for the Premier League and Champions League, we were right.
“Now it’s about touching the glory.
“Maybe three or four or five years ago people were saying: ‘Come on Mauricio, it’s about winning one title, the Carabao Cup, the FA Cup . . . the club needs to win a title’.
“No! The club needs to challenge for BIG titles.”
Spurs’ only silverware this century was the League Cup in 2008 under Juande Ramos — who was sacked eight months later.
Yet Poch, 47, added: “Look at the effect of being in the Champions League final.
“Do you think the fans think it is the same as winning the League Cup?
“But we are working not to play the Champions League and be competitive — we are working to win.
“The final is not about playing, it’s about winning.
“Five years ago Tottenham were building the facilities, the training ground, the stadium.
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“After four years we are now consistently in the Champions League. That was everyone’s dream.
“Then we finished the stadium that is the best in the world.
“The only way that the players can touch the glory is not by sleeping at the training ground or playing in the best stadium. It’s by winning titles.”