Southampton defender Jose Fonte has backed Mauricio Pochettino to achieve great things at Tottenham Hotspur.
However, speaking to the media ahead of the Saints’ meeting with Spurs on Sunday, the Portuguese defender has admitted that there are two things the Lilywhites and their Argentine manager need to do if they are to build on the success of this season.
“If they sign a new contract with Mauricio and if they manage to keep everyone together,” Fonte began, as reported by the Mirror. “I think they have a good chance to do something special next year.”
The defender featured under Pochettino when the coach was at Southampton, before moving to Spurs at the beginning of last season, and has revealed that he still thinks particularly highly of the Argentine international.
“I’ve been managed by Mauricio at Southampton and he’s up there with the best managers I’ve ever had,” the centre-back continued. “Him and Ronald Koeman are probably the best.
“What he’s done at Tottenham doesn’t surprise me.
“I know how hard they work, so what he has done with this young squad is amazing and he deserves all of the credit he gets.”
While Pochettino has had a transformative impact on Tottenham since taking over the club after the departure of Tim Sherwood, the manager’s Spurs side ultimately fell short of their ultimate ambition this season.
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The North London giants were unable to take Leicester City and the title race down to the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season, as they let a two-goal lead slip at Stamford Bridge against reigning champions Chelsea on Monday.
Nonetheless, if Spurs can tie down their manager to a new contract, and prevent some of their star players from leaving the club, it would be little surprise if they were again competing for the title next season.