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Mauricio Pochettino: Harry Kane’s emotional message after sacking of ‘friend’ as Tottenham manager

The Argentine was let go after five-and-a-half years on Tuesday evening with the club citing ‘disappointing results’ after just three Premier League wins this season

Alan O'Brien
Wednesday 20 November 2019 09:24 GMT
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Mauricio Pochettino sacked as manager of Spurs

Harry Kane has broken his silence on Mauricio Pochettino‘s sacking as Tottenham manager.

The Argentine was let go after five-and-a-half years on Tuesday evening with the club citing “disappointing results” after just three Premier League wins this season.

Kane, a virtual ever-present under Pochettino, has spoken in glowing in terms following his departure.

“Gaffer. I’ll be forever thankful to you for helping me achieve my dreams. We’ve had some amazing moments in the last 5 and a half years that I will never forget,” he said.

“You were my manager but my friend as well and I thank you for that relationship. Good luck with your next chapter!”

Pochettino, along with his coaching staff, has paid the price for a poor run of domestic form in 2019, bringing an end to a hugely successful spell at the club.

During that time he delivered four successive top-four finishes in the Premier League, which included two title challenges, a memorable run to the European Cup final last season and developed the likes of Kane, Dele Alli, Son Heung-min and Christian Eriksen into top-class players.

He also had to contend with playing at Wembley for 18 months while Tottenham’s new stadium was built and went through two transfer windows without signing anyone.

But chairman Daniel Levy grew impatient with a decline in form this calendar year as Spurs took only 23 points from their last 24 Premier League games.

They have won just three times this season and as well as a 7-2 humiliation against Bayern Munich in the Champions League last month, they were also beaten by League Two Colchester in the Carabao Cup.

Daniel Levy said: “We were extremely reluctant to make this change and it is not a decision the board have taken lightly, nor in haste.

“Regrettably domestic results at the end of last season and the beginning of this season have been extremely disappointing.

“It falls on the board to make the difficult decisions – this one made more so given the many memorable moments we have had with Mauricio and his coaching staff – but we do so in the club’s best interests.

“Mauricio and his coaching staff will always be a part of our history. I have the utmost admiration for the manner in which he dealt with the difficult times away from a home ground whilst we built the new stadium and for the warmth and positivity he brought to us.

“I should like to thank him and his coaching staff for all they have contributed. They will always be welcome here.

“We have a talented squad. We need to re-energise and look to deliver a positive season for all of our supporters.”

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