Southampton Football Club has recently confirmed the departure of manager Mauricio Pochettino to Tottenham Hotspur FC on a five-year deal.
Pochettino’s departure has been widely expected since the departure of Nicola Cortese as Executive Chairman. Cortese was instrumental in appointing the Argentinian in January 2013, sacking previous fan favourite and promotion sealing manager, Nigel Adkins. Although the move was originally met with widespread criticism from supporters and the media, Pochettino won supporters over with his expansive football and for several games at the start of the 2013-14 season Southampton boasted the best defensive record in the league.
Saints in action at Stamford Bridge last year
Pochettino’s departure is believed to have resulted from a lack of guarantees that key first team players would be retained by the club, and his exit will only intensify such rumours surrounding the futures of Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana, Nathaniel Clyne and Morgan Schneiderlin, all of whom are the subject of mooted moves from top clubs. Although a mass exodus may be delayed until after the World Cup, the perceived lack of ambition combined with rumours of a disinterested owner, Katherine Liebherr, will hardly inspire confidence in Saints supporters hoping that their recent league success can continue into next season.
Saints playing at home against Arsenal earlier this year
Will, a Saints fan at the University, said
I believe Pochettino’s actions to be completely unfair on the club, leaving a job half done. There is a serious risk of us ending up in a similar situation to Newcastle, accepting of mid-table mediocrity with no ambition to challenge the top clubs, which we had previously shown ourselves capable of.
Assistant First Team Manager Jesús Pérez, First Team Coach Miguel D’Agostino and First Team Goalkeeping Coach Toni Jiménez join Pochettino in leaving for pastures afresh.
I vote for this guy
The official statement can be read here.
