4 years since Tottenham Hotspur sacked Mauricio Pochettino

• Mauricio Pochettino was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur on this day four years ago
• Pochettino coached Spurs for five years and was loved by all the fan base at the club
• The Argentine went on to join France giants PSG before leaving the club and joining Spurs Premier League rivals Chelsea, last summer

In a surprising turn of events on this day in 2019, Tottenham Hotspur announced the departure of their manager, Mauricio Pochettino, a mere six months after he had steered the team to the Champions League final. Pochettino, an Argentine tactician, had held the reins at Spurs for five-and-a-half years but found himself on the chopping block due to a lackluster start to the 2019-20 season.

The decision, announced by chairman Daniel Levy, was met with shock and speculation. Pochettino’s tenure had seen notable highs, including guiding the team to the Champions League final in the previous season, where they narrowly lost to Liverpool in Madrid. However, a series of disappointing domestic results in the current campaign, with Spurs languishing in 14th place after 12 games, prompted the board to make a tough call.

Levy expressed the difficulty in parting ways with Pochettino, acknowledging the reluctance of the board to make such a pivotal change. “Regrettably domestic results at the end of last season and the beginning of this season have been extremely disappointing,” Levy stated, emphasizing the gravity of the decision. It was clear that the recent poor form was the deciding factor, as Spurs had won just three of their opening 12 games, accumulating a mere 14 points.

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Mauricio Pochettino coached Tottenham Hotspur for five years between May 2014 and November 2019 when he was sacked. | PHOTO: Sky |

Pochettino’s journey with Tottenham began in May 2014 when he left Southampton to take charge. His early impact was felt as he led the team to the League Cup final in his first full season, although they were defeated by Chelsea. The 2015-16 season saw Spurs mounting a serious challenge for the Premier League title, finishing third in the end. The following seasons maintained their competitiveness, with a second-place finish in 2016-17 and a third-place finish in 2017-18.

The pinnacle of Pochettino’s tenure came in the 2018-19 season when Spurs reached the Champions League final. Along the way, they secured memorable victories against Manchester City and Ajax in the knockout stages. Despite the thrilling journey, they were ultimately thwarted by Liverpool in the final. However, signs of trouble had emerged in the domestic front, as Spurs won only three of their last 12 Premier League matches that season. Unfortunately for Pochettino, this downturn in form continued into the next season, sealing his fate at Tottenham.

Notably, Pochettino’s managerial stint coincided with Tottenham’s transition from the historic White Hart Lane stadium to their new state-of-the-art arena on the same site. The team played their home games at Wembley for 18 months during this transitional period, adding an extra layer of complexity to Pochettino’s task.

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Swiftly after Pochettino’s departure, Tottenham Hotspur appointed Jose Mourinho as his successor. The Portuguese manager, known for his past successes, took the helm the day after Pochettino’s exit, marking a quick transition for the club.

As for Pochettino, after a brief hiatus from football, he returned to the managerial scene in January 2021, taking the reins at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). His time at the French club was marked by successes, including leading them to the Champions League final in the 2020-21 season. However, after 18 months at PSG, Pochettino found himself back in the Premier League, this time at the helm of Chelsea, marking a new chapter in his managerial career.

In conclusion, the sudden departure of Mauricio Pochettino from Tottenham Hotspur in 2019 marked the end of an era that had seen both triumphs and challenges. While his legacy includes memorable Champions League runs and a transition to a new stadium, it was the team’s inconsistent domestic form that ultimately led to his departure. As Pochettino embarks on a new journey with Chelsea, the echoes of his time at Spurs continue to resonate in the annals of the club’s history.