Mauricio Pochettino Wants to Work with Lionel Messi at Newell's Old Boys
Mar 19, 2020
Tottenham Hotspur's Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino gestures during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on November 9, 2019. (Photo by Ian KINGTON / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)
Mauricio Pochettino has said he would like to link up with Lionel Messi at Argentinian outfit Newell's Old Boys in the future.
Both men have history at the club: Pochettino graduated from the youth ranks and played for the club's senior side between 1989 and 1994 before joining Espanyol.
Messi, meanwhile, started his youth career with Newell's before joining Barcelona's famed La Masia academy in 2001.
Messi, 32, has previously said that it is his "dream" to one day return to the Rosario-based club to play.
Pochettino, who has been without a job since being sacked by Tottenham Hotspur in November, has now said he would welcome the chance to work with his fellow Argentinian, per Radio del Plata (h/t Chris Burton of Goal):
"I want to return to Newell's with Messi. I can still wait, [for an opportunity] and the best [possible scenario] would be in 10 years with Messi."
Pochettino enhanced his reputation during his tenure at Spurs between 2014 and 2019.
He oversaw one of the most successful periods in the club's history and established Spurs as Champions League regulars, culminating in their run to last season's final:
📊Tottenham's record in PL era: 4⃣ Top 4 finishes under Pochettino (5 seasons) 2⃣ Top 4 finishes pre Pochettino (22 seasons) https://t.co/2YRa83636R
When he was sacked, the move was seen by many as an overly-hasty one from Tottenham, and he remains one of the most attractive managers in the game:
This is particularly true right now of Pochettino but it's true in all sports: If the guy you fired immediately becomes the top candidate for every available or near-available job, you probably should have kept him.
Pochettino really will have the pick of elite clubs when he decides to get back into management. An immediate upgrade on the incumbent at Bayern, Juve, Barcelona, and probably Real Madrid before you even mention PL sides
Before football was suspended across Europe due to the coronavirus pandemic, Spurs were on a six-game run without a win in all competitions, which included being knocked out of the FA Cup and Champions League.
It is not completely out of the question Mourinho could leave Tottenham at the end of 2019-20, and it is likely many Spurs fans would be happy to see Pochettino then reappointed.
Scouting Report: Newell's Old Boys Forward Ignacio Scocco
Jun 8, 2013
Age: 28
Contract Situation:Ole reports that Newell's are in the process of securing ownership of the player from Al Ain. They intend to buy out his contract for €1.8 million with the hope of selling him for a considerably higher price.
Career Stops:Newell's Old Boys (2003-06), UNAM Pumas (2006-08), AEK Athens (2008-11), Al Ain (2011-12), Newell's Old Boys (loan 2011-present).
Current Campaign Stats
Argentine Primera (Inicial and Final combined): 30 games, 23 goals
Copa Libertadores: 10 games, 5 goals
Argentina: 1 (friendly) game, 2 goals
Video Showreel
Scouting Guide
A tremendous dribbler with an eye for goal, Scocco is currently at the peak of his powers. He has wowed fans of Newell's Old boys since returning from a six years stint in foreign lands with some stunning strikes that led him to the top of the goalscorer's charts in Argentina.
Such is his run of form that he has sometimes drawn comparisons to a certain Lionel Messi for the way in which he cuts in from the right and weaves past panicked defenders to create scoring chances.
Capable of poaching goals or cracking them in with tremendous power from distance, the threat he offers as an attacking player is multi-faceted and very difficult to defend against. The man they call "Nacho" is such a complete forward at present that it is hard to see him not contributing something to a European club.
Where to Next?
As reported by Sky Sports, Sunderland recently tried to tempt Scocco to the Premier League, but the player's agent made it clear it would take an offer from a club competing in the Champions League to really pique his interest.
Scocco will most likely see out 2013 with Newell's, who are mounting a Copa Libertadores challenge, before looking at offers from abroad, however there is always the chance a healthy bid could see him moving this June.
