Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has said everyone was against his team in their Premier League title challenge against Leicester City this season.
Spurs were in contention for a maiden Premier League crown until their 36th game, when a 2-2 draw at Chelsea confirmed the Foxes as the unlikeliest champions in the competition’s history.
The level of public goodwill towards Leicester — managed by likeable Italian Claudio Ranieri and with heavy odds against them at the beginning of the season — was unprecedented, while a number of Premier League figures including West Brom’s Tony Pulis, Stoke City boss Mark Hughes and Chelsea pair Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas openly declared their support for Leicester.
Pochettino, who has the youngest squad in the Premier League, says he struggles to understand why Spurs were cast as the villains of the piece.
“I have to admit that it was an added stress. Everyone was against us,” the Argentine told Ocio News.
“The second placed team in the table were the team to beat, that is the first time in history that has happened. It was difficult to understand. I still do not understand it now. Everybody was too nice to Leicester — we were the bad guys who wanted to ruin the fairytale story of Cinderella.”
Pochettino says his Spurs squad will learn from the campaign but paid credit to Leicester and Ranieri, declaring them worthy winners.
“I believe we were brave and took risks. A team is a reflection of their coaching staff and carries their character. That is something I learned many years ago from Marcelo Bielsa.
“We are the youngest team in the Premier League. This experience will be good for us. To play well is not easy, we slipped up.
“We were not able to compete in those moments of the season which are key to be champions,” he added.
“Leicester competed better. They had a different philosophy than ours, but just as valid. I congratulate them. After 38 games the best team always wins.
“This season is proof that in England, in the Premier League, anything can happen. It is the most competitive league.
“Claudio has that entertaining ‘Latin’ thing. He jokes around. I took it well when he said ‘Keep calm Pochettino.'”
The arrivals of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and Jose Mourinho at Manchester United, as well as Antonio Conte at Chelsea, means the Premier League promises to be even more competitive next season.
Pochettino is excited by the increased competition and has no problem with the spotlight being on Manchester.
“They will have a problem as the city is small and they are sure to meet!,” he joked.
“They are two great managers and to compete against them will be good. Also two big teams, United and City, but also there is Arsenal, Chelsea, Leicester, Tottenham.
“Next season should be exciting in England. But it is normal that, for their history and trophies won, Mourinho and Guardiola eclipse everyone else.”
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