Jamie Carragher has claimed Tottenham fans “should be anxious” about the prospect of Mauricio Pochettino heading to Manchester United because of the adventurous playing style he advocates.
Writing for the Daily Telegraph, the high-profile pundit claimed the elite players want to perform for managers who give them freedom to thrive in an offensive set-up.
Carragher explained Spurs boss Pochettino is outstanding candidate to replace Jose Mourinho and coax far better performances from a squad that is far better than they have looked this season.
“Under City manager Pep Guardiola, this set of United players would perform to a higher level,” Carragher told the Telegraph. “Mourinho’s successful methods are geared towards those with particular traits of physically demanding, tactically brilliant but pragmatic football.
“With City, Liverpool and Spurs playing a more offensive and adventurous game, it has become harder for Mourinho to convince the best players his way is correct, regardless of the success it brought him. The most gifted footballers do not want the stifling game any more.
“We are in a different era where players watch the Guardiola, Jurgen Klopp and Mauricio Pochettino way and want it replicated at their club. That is why Spurs fans should be anxious. Pochettino is the standout candidate to move to Old Trafford.”
OPINION
Carragher’s point about modern players wanting to be coached by a manager who is adventurous and cavalier is a new one in the maelstrom of speculation that United have made Pochettino their first choice to be the permanent replacement for Mourinho. Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer has temporarily been given the baton, but there is no sense the former United striker has the opportunity to make the job his own. The Premier League giants are said to be planning a six-month seduction of the Tottenham manager, which is likely to include extensive negotiations with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy over the cost of extricating the Argentine from north London and a contract that runs until the summer of 2023 and is reportedly worth £8.5million-a-year. Pochettino is adored by the Tottenham players he has transformed into bona fide stars and helped achieve their ambitions at a club that is now established in the Champions League as well as being regular Premier League title challengers.