Mauricio Pochettino said that he would be able to “go home” happy if Tottenham won the Champions League, effectively leaving him with little else to achieve in the game.
Spurs can reach the final if they overturn a 1-0 deficit in their semi-final second leg against Ajax on Wednesday night. And at his pre-match press conference at the Johan Cryuff Arena on Tuesday night, Pochettino suggested there would be almost nothing left for him to do in football if he lifts the famous trophy in Madrid on 1 June, because it would cap off his first five years at Spurs so perfectly.
Pochettino said that winning this competition – which would also be his first major trophy as Spurs manager – would be the perfect conclusion to an initial five-year cycle in charge at the club. “Winning the Champions League? It should be fantastic, no? Close the five-year chapter and go home.”
When pressed whether he would leave Spurs, Pochettino said that he was not joking, but that he meant winning the Champions League would emphatically draw a line under his time at the club so far and raise questions about what could come next.
“It is not a joke,” he said. “Maybe I work with Daniel [Levy], sitting, working in different for sure. To win the Champions League with Tottenham, in this circumstance, in this season, maybe I need to think a little bit to do something different in the future, for sure. Because to repeat this miracle, you know…But for sure I hope [to go] home. Whatever happens tomorrow, I go home.”
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1/23 Player ratings: Spurs vs Ajax
We run the rule over the two teams after a tough night for Tottenham.
AFP
2/23 Hugo Lloris − 6
Was left utterly helpless for Ajax’s first goal, with his defence akimbo and Donny van de Beek breathing down his neck. Made a very smart stop to deny the same player just moments later.
Getty Images
3/23 Toby Alderweireld − 6
Struggled in the very early stages, as did every player in white. But improved after Jan Vertonghen’s nasty head injury, which forced Spurs to switch to playing four at the back.
REUTERS
4/23 Davinson Sanchez − 6
Like Toby Alderweireld, improved immeasurably after the tactical switch. Was kept busy in a nervy first-half, although did do very well to twice catch up with threatening Ajax counter-attacks.
Getty
5/23 Jan Vertonghen − 6
Bravely attempted to battle on after a nasty clash of heads with team-mate Toby Alderweireld left him looking like a considerably better groomed Terry Butcher. Wisely substituted himself and appeared to be in danger of collapsing on the touchline, although fortunately made a recovery in the Tottenham dressing room.
Getty Images
6/23 Kieran Trippier − 5
Tottenham’s three at the back system was designed to protect Kieran Trippier’s flaws, but he made an inauspicious start to this match, playing Donny van de Beek onside for Ajax’s opener. Didn’t get much better and overhit a number of passes in the second-half, which resulted in a chorus of groans.
Man City via Getty Images
7/23 Victor Wanyama − 5
What a player he was before his knee unfortunately crumbled to dust at the start of last season. In fairness he began to get a grip on the game after a painfully shaky start, but he remains a weakness.
Getty
8/23 Christian Eriksen − 6
A difficult night for the Dane, who was often caught in two minds over whether to remain alongside Victor Wanyama in Tottenham’s midfield or glide forward. Did get much better in the second-half, although he is capable of much, much more. Spurs will need him to step up in Amsterdam.
Getty Images
9/23 Dele − 6
Has been running on empty for at least a fortnight now. Like the vast majority of Tottenham’s players, improved after the tactical switch and had a good chance to equalise at the start of the second-half, instead wastefully heading over the bar. He deserves some time off, to be frank.
Getty Images
10/23 Danny Rose − 5
He just cannot resist diving in, can he? Woefully disorganised in the opening exchanges and could have been sent off for petulantly lashing out at Joel Veltman. Bombed forward well but not his greatest night.
Getty Images
11/23 Lucas Moura − 5
Barely noticed he was playing. Kept exceptionally quiet by Ajax’s kindergarteners at the back.
Getty
12/23 Fernando Llorente − 5
In many ways, the quintessential Fernando Llorente performance. Ugly, gutsy, clumsy, ever so slightly amusing and not especially that effective: tried hard but spurned one of Tottenham’s best chances when he headed wide under little pressure in the first-half.
AFP
13/23 Andre Onan − 6
Didn’t have an awful lot to do. Difficult to think of what to write really, so here are some stats: 2 clearances, 16 passes, 15 of which were long balls. Interesting! Also did his fair share of time-wasting, the rotter.
REUTERS
14/23 Joel Veltman − 6
Spent much of this match in a petty two-man war with Danny Rose. When he wasn’t pulling the full-back’s shirt or himself being dragged back he was effective going forward, combining nicely with the standout Donny van de Beek.
Getty Images
15/23 Daley Blind − 7
The veteran Dutchman enjoyed a successful return to England. Marking Fernando Llorente isn’t an especially onerous task but he did it well enough, and his pace helped him keep Lucas Moura equally quiet on the rare occasions Spurs were able to counter-attack.
AFP/Getty Images
16/23 Matthijs de Ligt − 7
Matthjis de Ligt is nineteen. Nineteen! The youngest ever player to captain his team in a Champions League semi-final was suitably composed this evening, keeping Fernando Llorente quiet and impressing with his silky smooth passing range.
AFP/Getty Images
17/23 Nicolas Tagliafico − 6
Booked for rashly diving in on Christian Eriksen when the rest of Ajax’s defence were well positioned. Solid apart from that.
Getty
18/23 Lasse Schone − 7
A wonderfully workmanlike performance in the middle of the two child geniuses either side of him. Three tackles. One clearance. One interception. He is the oil which keeps this impossibly slick Ajax team running so very smoothly.
REUTERS
19/23 Frenkie De Jong − 8
Hard to believe he is just 21-years-old, when he plays with all the languid composure of Xavi winding down his career at Al Saad in the Qatar Stars League. Everything comes so naturally to him. Had a field day against the statuesque Victor Wanyama: no player completed more passes.
Getty Images
20/23 Hakim Ziyech − 8
To describe his defence-bisecting through ball as merely an ‘assist’ does it a disservice. In reality it was as effective and aesthetically pleasing as a goal, putting it on a plate for Donny van de Beek to open the scoring.
Getty Images
21/23 Donny van de Beek − 8
Took his goal wonderfully well, holding the line and then waiting nervelessly for Hugo Lloris to make his move. Almost doubled Ajax’s advantage just a few moments later.
Action Images via Reuters
22/23 David Neres − 6
Gave Kieran Trippier a thoroughly uncomfortable evening, pinning the Englishman back for long periods and thoroughly ruining Mauricio Pochettino’s three at the back gameplan.
Getty Images
23/23 Dusan Tadic − 7
What on earth have Ajax done with the inconsistent maverick that so frustrated Southampton supporters for four seasons? Played his part in the opening goal and was an entertainingly buzzy presence throughout.
UEFA via Getty Images
1/23 Player ratings: Spurs vs Ajax
We run the rule over the two teams after a tough night for Tottenham.
AFP
2/23 Hugo Lloris − 6
Was left utterly helpless for Ajax’s first goal, with his defence akimbo and Donny van de Beek breathing down his neck. Made a very smart stop to deny the same player just moments later.
Getty Images
3/23 Toby Alderweireld − 6
Struggled in the very early stages, as did every player in white. But improved after Jan Vertonghen’s nasty head injury, which forced Spurs to switch to playing four at the back.
REUTERS
4/23 Davinson Sanchez − 6
Like Toby Alderweireld, improved immeasurably after the tactical switch. Was kept busy in a nervy first-half, although did do very well to twice catch up with threatening Ajax counter-attacks.
Getty
5/23 Jan Vertonghen − 6
Bravely attempted to battle on after a nasty clash of heads with team-mate Toby Alderweireld left him looking like a considerably better groomed Terry Butcher. Wisely substituted himself and appeared to be in danger of collapsing on the touchline, although fortunately made a recovery in the Tottenham dressing room.
Getty Images
6/23 Kieran Trippier − 5
Tottenham’s three at the back system was designed to protect Kieran Trippier’s flaws, but he made an inauspicious start to this match, playing Donny van de Beek onside for Ajax’s opener. Didn’t get much better and overhit a number of passes in the second-half, which resulted in a chorus of groans.
Man City via Getty Images
7/23 Victor Wanyama − 5
What a player he was before his knee unfortunately crumbled to dust at the start of last season. In fairness he began to get a grip on the game after a painfully shaky start, but he remains a weakness.
Getty
8/23 Christian Eriksen − 6
A difficult night for the Dane, who was often caught in two minds over whether to remain alongside Victor Wanyama in Tottenham’s midfield or glide forward. Did get much better in the second-half, although he is capable of much, much more. Spurs will need him to step up in Amsterdam.
Getty Images
9/23 Dele − 6
Has been running on empty for at least a fortnight now. Like the vast majority of Tottenham’s players, improved after the tactical switch and had a good chance to equalise at the start of the second-half, instead wastefully heading over the bar. He deserves some time off, to be frank.
Getty Images
10/23 Danny Rose − 5
He just cannot resist diving in, can he? Woefully disorganised in the opening exchanges and could have been sent off for petulantly lashing out at Joel Veltman. Bombed forward well but not his greatest night.
Getty Images
11/23 Lucas Moura − 5
Barely noticed he was playing. Kept exceptionally quiet by Ajax’s kindergarteners at the back.
Getty
12/23 Fernando Llorente − 5
In many ways, the quintessential Fernando Llorente performance. Ugly, gutsy, clumsy, ever so slightly amusing and not especially that effective: tried hard but spurned one of Tottenham’s best chances when he headed wide under little pressure in the first-half.
AFP
13/23 Andre Onan − 6
Didn’t have an awful lot to do. Difficult to think of what to write really, so here are some stats: 2 clearances, 16 passes, 15 of which were long balls. Interesting! Also did his fair share of time-wasting, the rotter.
REUTERS
14/23 Joel Veltman − 6
Spent much of this match in a petty two-man war with Danny Rose. When he wasn’t pulling the full-back’s shirt or himself being dragged back he was effective going forward, combining nicely with the standout Donny van de Beek.
Getty Images
15/23 Daley Blind − 7
The veteran Dutchman enjoyed a successful return to England. Marking Fernando Llorente isn’t an especially onerous task but he did it well enough, and his pace helped him keep Lucas Moura equally quiet on the rare occasions Spurs were able to counter-attack.
AFP/Getty Images
16/23 Matthijs de Ligt − 7
Matthjis de Ligt is nineteen. Nineteen! The youngest ever player to captain his team in a Champions League semi-final was suitably composed this evening, keeping Fernando Llorente quiet and impressing with his silky smooth passing range.
AFP/Getty Images
17/23 Nicolas Tagliafico − 6
Booked for rashly diving in on Christian Eriksen when the rest of Ajax’s defence were well positioned. Solid apart from that.
Getty
18/23 Lasse Schone − 7
A wonderfully workmanlike performance in the middle of the two child geniuses either side of him. Three tackles. One clearance. One interception. He is the oil which keeps this impossibly slick Ajax team running so very smoothly.
REUTERS
19/23 Frenkie De Jong − 8
Hard to believe he is just 21-years-old, when he plays with all the languid composure of Xavi winding down his career at Al Saad in the Qatar Stars League. Everything comes so naturally to him. Had a field day against the statuesque Victor Wanyama: no player completed more passes.
Getty Images
20/23 Hakim Ziyech − 8
To describe his defence-bisecting through ball as merely an ‘assist’ does it a disservice. In reality it was as effective and aesthetically pleasing as a goal, putting it on a plate for Donny van de Beek to open the scoring.
Getty Images
21/23 Donny van de Beek − 8
Took his goal wonderfully well, holding the line and then waiting nervelessly for Hugo Lloris to make his move. Almost doubled Ajax’s advantage just a few moments later.
Action Images via Reuters
22/23 David Neres − 6
Gave Kieran Trippier a thoroughly uncomfortable evening, pinning the Englishman back for long periods and thoroughly ruining Mauricio Pochettino’s three at the back gameplan.
Getty Images
23/23 Dusan Tadic − 7
What on earth have Ajax done with the inconsistent maverick that so frustrated Southampton supporters for four seasons? Played his part in the opening goal and was an entertainingly buzzy presence throughout.
UEFA via Getty Images
Pochettino repeated his instruction to his players that they have to “dream” in order to overturn Ajax and reach the final. Even though simply being in this position itself represents huge progress.
“I think we are living a dream,” he said. “Five years ago, when we arrived, it was to reduce the gap with the top four. Then the possibility to play Champions League. Then to qualify for the last 16, then to quarter-finals and now to be in the semi-final. For us it’s a bonus, for myself it’s a bonus.
“Of course now we are there, we want to try to win and be in the final. I’m not thinking about if we are creating history. The most important is to try and enjoy, to try and bring to the players that belief, as we have done to get here. We must also dream.”
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