Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has bemoaned his side’s 5-1 defeat at Newcastle as his “worst day as a manager”.
Spurs went into the contest against the Magpies knowing a draw would be enough to secure second place in the Premier League and a finish above fierce rivals Arsenal.
However the North London club went 2-0 down and, although Erik Lamela did pull a goal back and Newcastle had Alexsandar Mitrovic sent off, the Toon netted another three times to secure a rout against Pochettino’s men.
That horrific loss, combined with Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Aston Villa, means that Spurs will finish below the Gunners for a 21st consecutive season and end the campaign in third.
And Pochettino has revealed his frustration with Sunday’s results, describing it as the worst he’s had as a coach.
The Argentinian has also apologised to the club’s supporters for the game and feels his players had already begun their holidays prior to the match.
Speaking following the game to BBC Sport Pochettino said: “First of all I would like to apologise to our fans. I think they don’t deserve all that happened today on the pitch and I apologise. It was a shame and difficult to understand.
“In the last couple of weeks when you do not play with 100 per cent it is impossible to win games and after Chelsea something happened. We cannot manage games in the right way.
“I am very disappointed because our fans don’t deserve it, it is difficult to go tonight and see my boys and my wife. I think it is unbelievable and we are very disappointed.
“We had the possibility to stay second and how we lost and how we gave to the opponent that is relegated, in the first and second half, they scored three goals with 10 players – it is my worst day as a manager and I feel very disappointed.
“We need to be sure that never happens again and need to improve our mentality. We were on holiday and that is the reality.”
Spurs have still secured Champions League football for next season and their forward, Harry Kane, has finished the year as the division’s top scorer with 25 goals.
Nonetheless the loss is hugely disappointing after such a good season for his
side.
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