Whilst the dramatic end to last seasons Premier League dream seems light years ago to some, it seems Mauricio Pochettino has had niggling issues with letting go of the past during his summer holidays if these latest word are anything to go by.
With his Spurs side frantically biting at the heels of eventual champions Leicester with a few games remaining of the 2015/16 season, the Lilywhites famously lost the plot by losing a horrifically tempered Stamford Bridge fixture, a result that handed the title to Claudio Ranieri’s side for the first time in their history. The result proved a catalyst for an abysmal remainder of the season, with the club finally signing off with a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Newcastle United on the last day – to add insult to injury, Arsenal pipped the league’s second position.
Whilst many of the Tottenham squad will have wanted to consign the capitulation to history, it seems their manager has no intention of doing so.
With most of the Spurs side disappearing for international duty with their relevant European Championship teams, Poch’s had to wait for the club’s pre-season tour of Australia before unleashing his frustrations.
Speaking to the Independent, the Argentine commented;
When we got back from Australia, we talked a bit about it. The players needed to hear my feelings, how I felt after the game and after the season, because there was no time to share. I explained my point of view and my feelings.
I just told them, that if I had had the opportunity to kill them, then I would have done. I wanted to kill all of them. And kill myself too.
I am very honest with them and they are very honest with me. That is a very good relationship.
Sounds it.
Whilst many a Spurs fan will have bitten off their own hind legs for a third placed Premier League position at the start of last season, has Mauricio Pochettino vicious outburst cemented a vicious winning mentality at White Hart Lane? Surely this season will be the true indicator.