CHELSEA manager Mauricio Pochettino has given reasons why he will not take up the roles at Arsenal and Barcelona if offered to him.
Pochettino is taking his side to his former club Tottenham Hotspur for an English Premier League clash on Monday night, and his time in North London is one of the reasons he vowed never to manage Arsenal or Barcelona.
The Argentine spent four relatively successful years at Spurs before results fell off in his fifth season in 2019 when he was sacked.
“It’s really special to go back to a place where we created amazing memories together. It’s special, I’m not going to lie. That is true,” the 51-year-old said today during his pre-match press conference.
“When we left the club it was a difficult moment but now I have the opportunity to come back and see many people who are still working there. It will be an exciting moment.
“I always said that clubs I wouldn’t manage are Arsenal, because they are considered the worst enemy for Tottenham, and Barcelona, because of Espanyol.
“Now it’s strange to come back after four years and for me it will be a happy day. That is life, we need to move on. We are professional but at the same time we are human and we feel.”
On what reception he expects from Tottenham fans, Pochettino said: “I’m not going to say anything at the moment. Until Monday, we can’t guess.
“We can’t forget everything we lived together and I’m going to respect the people and how they feel. It won’t change my feelings though.”
There was speculation at one time that Pochettino was set to return as Tottenham manager but he ended up at Chelsea and his old club went for Ange Postecoglou.
When asked if there was a chance he could have gone back to Tottenham as manager, Pochettino’s response was unequivocal.
“No. When we finished or relationship with Paris St-Germain we wanted one year outside of football and then the offer with Chelsea arrived and I’m happy to be here,” the former Argentina defender offered.
While Tottenham Hotspur are flying high at the top of the Premier League table, Pochettino’s Chelsea are wobbling and in 11th spot, a staggering 14 points adrift after only 10 matches.
