This article forms part of our Transfer Scenario feature, which is where Football Transfer Tavern takes a look at a recent transfer rumour and suggests what the potential consequences would be, should a deal be completed.
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Talk of Mauricio Pochettino leaving Spurs is nothing new. From the Tottenham boss suggesting he may have left if they won last season’s Champions League, to the Argentinian cutting a frustrated figure when pressed on transfers, whispers of the 47-year-old departing North London have been around for some time.
The Daily Star recently suggested something that could fan the flames even more, with a report claiming Daniel Levy has lined up England boss Gareth Southgate as Pochettino’s successor.
So what could happen if Pochettino walks? We explore the fallout from that potential scenario here as rumours surrounding the manager’s future show few signs of vanishing:
Players follow Pochettino out the exit door
Although there has been little by way of trophies for Spurs since Pochettino’s arrival, there can be little denying he has had a positive time at the helm, capped by taking the club to their first Champions League final last season.
He has also consistently overseen the side qualifying for the Champions League and push for the odd title by achieving the club’s best Premier League finish in successive seasons in 2015/16 and 2016/17.
The players that have strived to deliver that relative success may grow frustrated if Pochettino’s exit is seen as a backwards step. Harry Kane has already insisted there can be ‘no more excuses’ from Spurs in the search for trophies, while there is existing uncertainty over the futures of Christian Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen – so collateral damage would hardly be out of the question.
New man’s new tactics
If Pochettino goes, someone must come in. Gareth Southgate has been recently linked with the post, though you would imagine whoever arrives will have demonstrated to the Spurs hierarchy that they can take them to the next level if the services of Pochettino are deemed disposable.
That would, in theory, come with a new regime, new tactics and change at Tottenham Hotspur for the years that follow.
We have seen Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola take time to deliver silverware at Liverpool and Manchester City, and a wait for Spurs to pick themselves up post-Pochettino in a similar manner could be expected.
‘Big Six’ rivals take advantage
In that window where Spurs regroup under new management, an opportunity could emerge for Spurs’ top-six rivals to take advantage of any teething problems and withdrawal symptoms that Tottenham could experience from the curtain being drawn on the Pochettino era.
The immediate effect of risking their Champions League status is one thing, but the prospect of their rivals pulling away as a result would leave the onus on Levy to hunt for the perfect successor – with Arsenal and Manchester United suffering on the pitch to some extent after recent changes of management themselves.
Spurs fans, would you welcome Southgate at the club? How badly do you need to keep hold of Pochettino? Let us know in the comments below!
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