Mauricio Pochettino says he must “lift a trophy” with Tottenham for this season to be deemed a success, even if the club’s priority is another top four finish.
Spurs have qualified for the Champions League in each of the last four seasons but Pochettino is yet to win any silverware with the club despite reaching two finals. The Londoners made it to the League Cup final in 2014/15 and the Champions League final last season.
Despite the excellent job Pochettino has done by developing players and regularly finishing in the top four, he has sometimes received criticism for failing to win a trophy, something he believes must change this term.
“My personal feeling is that starting my sixth season, I need to lift a trophy. Carabao Cup, FA Cup, Premier League or Champions League,” Pochettino told reporters on Friday (via Sky Sports).
“I am not saying it is time. I don’t want to put pressure on the team or the club.
“But if you ask me personally, this season is not about finishing in the top four to be successful – although of course maybe that matters for the club.
“But for me, it is about winning a title.
“If not, after last season’s final, to be again in the top four and reach the semi-final of the Carabao Cup, it is like, ‘Come on!’
“You are always there but you cannot touch the glory. That is personally – me. My personal target, objective, aim to be successful this season is to lift a trophy.”
Tottenham reached the League Cup semi-finals last season, losing to Chelsea on penalties at Stamford Bridge, and went out of the FA Cup in the fourth round at Crystal Palace. They will hope to go further in both domestic cups this time around.
It will be difficult for them to reach another Champions League final, although it can not be ruled out. Spurs have improved their squad with the signings of Ryan Sessegnon, Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele.
The Premier League Panini Tabloid is a special commemorative newspaper sticker collection celebrating the exciting new partnership between the greatest league in the world and the legendary name in football publishing, Panini.
the fact we have not won any domestic cups under Poch is he never plays our best 11 in the cup ties