Broadcaster and author Guillem Balague has revealed that Mauricio Pochettino’s favourite word is ‘brave’.
Balague explained in a Sky Sports News debate about the Tottenham manager on Wednesday night immediately after their remarkable 3-1 Champions League triumph against Real Madrid that he constantly urges his players to show courage.
The Sky Sports expert, who has written a new book in conjunction with the Argentine entitled Brave New World: Inside Pochettino’s Spurs, explained some of the secrets to manager’s success on the programme.
“He goes deep into the head and says, ‘give me more and, by the way when you come out there, be brave’,” Balague said. “It’s his favourite word, that’s why it’s in the title [of his new book]. He convinces the players they can do it.
“That’s why it was important to win today. He (Pochettino) has got the plaudits from everybody, but he is there to win. He is creating something special and they all want to be part of it.”
OPINION
A big part of Pochettino’s success is his use of psychology to motivate and inspire the Spurs players. Clearly, it is working and they are responding as Tottenham continue their transformation into a team to be taken seriously across Europe. Pochettino is getting the best out of group of players who have been won over by his methods and exacting standards. With his coaching nous, brilliant man-management and understanding of the game, what top player wouldn’t want to come under Pochettino’s wing?