“Trophies Only Builds Ego”, The Important Thing Is Top Four – Mauricio Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino has made the remarkable claim that winning trophies is not important when compared to qualifying for the Champions League. The Tottenham manager faces a 10th career season without league or cup glory after his under-strength team were dumped out of the FA Cup by Crystal Palace yesterday. The 2-0 defeat came on the back of last Thursday’s Carabao Cup exit at Chelsea and means Pochettino must overcome long odds to win the Premier League or Champions League if Tottenham are to lift silverware for the first time in 11 years. With Tottenham fans craving success, defeat came as a huge blow, but Pochettino said: ‘We are going to create a debate that to win a trophy is going to help the club. I don’t agree. That only builds your ego. ‘The important thing is being consistently in the top four and playing in the Champions League.’ Tottenham’s depleted squad were easily turned over by Palace, who went ahead at Selhurst Park through Connor Wickham’s tap-in before Andros Townsend scored from the penalty spot.  Kieran Trippier’s missed penalty only served to heap more misery on Pochettino, who conceded ‘this season has been tough’. ‘I told you it would be a massive challenge for us, but we believe it’ll be a tough season but no tougher than it’s been,’ he said. ‘Of course, disappointed because, after Thursday and today again, out of two competitions. You feel disappointed. You can’t feel anything different.’ He added that the main aim now is to qualify for next season’s Champions League. ‘The realistic targets are trying to be in the top four, try and be close to Manchester City and Liverpool and reduce the gap,’ he said.  ‘To be a contender is always difficult for us. That is realistic. Another is to try and beat Dortmund and be in the next round. That is tough. We are competing against a team who are doing fantastic in Germany, top of the table, and come back off the their holidays. They are all fresh and we are the opposite.’ Palace boss Roy Hodgson praised Wickham, who scored his first goal in 799 days following a long time out with a serious knee injury. Hodgson said: ‘Two years and three months… incredible, isn’t it. It’s a credit to him.’ Photo Credit: Getty