Irate Pochettino snaps back at Guardiola over his 'Harry Kane team' comment
Mauricio Pochettino and Pep Guardiola
Mauricio Pochettino and Pep Guardiola during Espanyol’s game with Barcelona in 2010. Photo: Josep Lago/AFP/Getty Images
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has hit out at Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola after he labeled Spurs "the Harry Kane team" last month.
Guardiola's comment following his side’s 1-0 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge brought smiles from those present, but Pochettino was not amused by the tag that he views as disrespectful to his players.
Kane was named as the Premier League’s player of the month of September after a sparkling run of scoring form, but his manager clearly did not take kindly to Guardiola’s claim that he is carrying Tottenham on his own.
Speaking ahead of his side's latest Premier League game against Bournemouth, Pochettino offered up this repost, as he argued Guardiola should have known better than to make that suggestion given the success he enjoyed working with a Barcelona team led by Lionel Messi.
"The reality was it was very disrespectful and it is difficult to understand," stated Pochettino when asked about Guardiola's comments on his team. "He was part of the big success at Barcelona when Messi was at his best and I never say it was a Messi team.
"I think that many people took those words as very disrespectful for the club and many players that are here at the club.
"In my case, personally, I did not take it in a bad way. Wasn't disrespectful for myself but for a lot of people it was unnecessary to say that.
"Only I express my feeling that, for a lot of people, it wasn't necessary to say that. But I think we need to move on. For me, Harry Kane is one of the best strikers and it's important that our position is clear, to be calm and not be aggressive with our opponents. I think it's important to respect every single opinion and I respect his opinion.
"Of course, it’s a sad comment. It's not him. He's a great manager. One of the best managers in the world. Why that comment? It didn't help him, it's not a good thing for anyone."
