Pochettino comments on coaching Spurs, pain, Michael Owen incident and greatest player

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Mauricio Pochettino is one of the youngest managers in the Premier League, with the 43-year-old representing a number of reputable European teams and his country Argentina as a player.

The retired South American defender is mostly remembered in England for his trip on Michael Owen to give away a penalty in the 2002 World Cup, which saw the Three Lions progress at Argentina’s expense in the competition with a 1-0 win.
Pochettino admits that the incident still haunts him 13 years later and that it was tough to get over.

“I became a villain and felt so guilty ... you know how our fans are in Argentina, some of them will blame it all on you,”

“But I admit (referee Pierluigi) Collina’s decision was right. It was a foul and I’m guilty.”

Pochettino is building an exciting young Tottenham team at White Hart Lane and revealed that despite not expecting to coach in England, he is happy in North London.

“I’m working with a wonderful team here that will have chances to win other trophies. That’s making my time here a real pleasure.

“After what happened in 2002, I never expected I would be here coaching ... there’s still some pain from that but it’s much lesser now.

“The pleasure of simply being in a Cup final at Wembley is much more than the pain.”

When asked if he agreed with close friend Ossie Ardiles that his compatriot Lionel Messi was the best player to have ever played the game, Pochettino disagreed with the Spurs great.

“Well, that’s my friend’s opinion. But for me, Maradona will always be the greatest, and I don’t have to tell you why if you’ve seen him at his best.

“I mean, Messi is currently the best, the No. 1 and he’s also a special kind of player.

“But Maradona was special in a different way and he did things which, till today, I haven’t seen other players do.”

 

How could he get pleasure from losing a cup final? Shows a lack of winning spirit that we haven't had since Harry.

 

What did Arry win again?

 

A court case!