How long will Daniel Levy stick with him if he starts poorly, baring in mind the chairman’s penchant for sacking, and the fact Pochettino’s been awarded a five-year-contract?
JC:
Not very long. Levy trusted AVB to spend over £100m, and then sacked him before Christmas! The lengthy contract seems unnecessary though.
MA:
The five-year-contract is pretty much meaningless as anything less than a top four finish will be seen by Levy, rightly or wrongly, as failure.
TS:
I doubt Pochettino will see out the five years whatever happens – either he’ll get a big job back in Spain or sacked – but Levy is making himself increasingly unpopular with every dismissal and it could well be him leaving next.
RS:
If he is feeling particularly generous, he may give him 18 months. No matter how well he starts, I would be amazed if he stays at White Hart Lane for five years.
RM:
Until the end of the campaign, with Levy surely now tired of constantly having to find new managers every summer. The new man has been told he must qualify the north London club for the Champions League, which will be no easy task even for a coach of Pochettino’s undoubted ability.
AD:
As good a manager as Pochettino is, it’s hard to see Levy giving him a full season if he doesn’t compete for the top four immediately.
Where will Spurs finish in the table next term?
JC:
6th, tucked between Manchester United above them and Everton below in 7th.
MA:
7th
TS:
It’s going to be very difficult to break the Champions League places. Chelsea and Manchester United will probably improve and Manchester City and Liverpool should keep up their form. I think they’ll finish 6th.
RS:
Above Southampton! Anywhere between third and seventh, probably 6th again, but ahead of Everton and behind Manchester United.
RM:
4th
AD:
6th. They’ll beat Everton to 6th thanks to a significantly higher budget, but Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal all have greater resources and playing squads at their disposal.
Finishing higher than 6th will be a tough task, but Levy’s great expectations may mean Pochettino may not last longer than a single season at White Hart Lane.