Pundit Danny Higginbotham has hailed the role of manager Mauricio Pochettino in Tottenham’s rise as one of the Premier League’s elite sides.
The Argentine took charge at Tottenham in 2014, following a short spell with Premier League rivals Southampton, becoming Spurs’ tenth manager in 12 years.
But unlike many of his predecessors, Pochettino has brought stability to the club, and his well-oiled machine has been rewarded with back-to-back top four finishes in the Premier League, and Champions League qualification.
Higginbotham believes Pochettino is an ‘outstanding’ manager, and insists his ability to change up his tactics both before and during games has been particularly impressive.
He told the Sun: “The Argentine is building a really outstanding team at the north London club. This was, though, a great chance for them to win the league. Spurs play great stuff but they do not have any medals to show for it – that will hurt.
“Now they have to look at their wage structure as other clubs will be sniffing around and offering double. But they have an unbelievable nucleus of young, quality players that can grow together if they can keep them.
“Pochettino’s recruitment has largely been fantastic. He has also impressed with his ability to switch tactically, even mid-game. He must be all over it on the training ground. He is an outstanding manager and I love watching Spurs.”
The Spurs chief has regularly shuffled his pack, choosing to play with three instead of four at the back in their bid to rival Chelsea and Antonio Conte in the title race, a system which the Blues have used to great effect.
Tottenham went toe-to-toe with Chelsea for much of the season, only to drop out of the title race with a 1-0 defeat to West Ham on May 5.
However, they maintained a strong winning mentality, and eased to comfortable victories in their last three matches of the season, including 6-1 and 7-1 away wins against Leicester City and Hull.
But the next step for Tottenham is to turn their impressive form into silverware, otherwise they risk losing their star performers to their Premier League rivals, and some of Europe’s elite.
They have not won a major title since their League Cup triumph in 2007-08, while they are without a league title since 1960-61.