Mauricio Pochettino has suggested Pep Guardiola’s “Harry Kane team” comment was inappropriate.
Following Manchester City’s win at Chelsea a fortnight ago, Guardiola was speaking about the title race when he referred to Tottenham as “the Harry Kane team.”
Some thought the Spaniard was implying Spurs are a one-man team.
Briefing reporters ahead of Tottenham’s weekend clash with Bournemouth, Pochettino responded to Guardiola’s words.
“It was funny when I heard him the other day because I know Pep very well,” said Pochettino. (Quotes via The Independent.)
“When it’s exciting after an amazing victory against Chelsea, sometimes [he] can struggle to keep his position and be a gentleman.
“I take that situation as that didn’t affect me but the reality is it was very disrespectful for many people and it’s difficult to understand because he was part of the big success at Barcelona with Messi at his best, and I never said it was ‘the Messi team’.
“I always said it was Barcelona or Pep Guardiola. I think everyone deserves to be recognised as part of the success of the team.
“But I think many people took those words as very disrespectful for the club, and for many players that are here I think it’s a strange situation. In my case personally I didn’t take it in a bad way. It wasn’t disrespectful for myself.
“That is my opinion like I respect his opinion but I think the players, more motivated or less motivated? I think it’s the same. It’s sad and it’s not right in football. Today we want to show respect, fair play and everything.”
Pochettino isn’t usually one to get involved in a war of words, but here we are.
Oh dear, somebody is a little touchy, if I was pochettino I’d worry about Spurs blowing up at some point as usual