BRAVE NEW WORLD

If Bale made me fall in love with Spurs, Poch (alongside Harry, Dele and others) kept me at it. A beautiful book that reveals what makes him the man he is and his philosophy. Must read for every Tottenham Hotspur fan

Brave. Honest. Sincere. Words which Pochettino duly admires. And yet, these are words one could very well use to describe him. Written as a diary, the book outlays one of the iconic season of Spurs last yr, when they finished second and played some of the finest football in Premier League. With this backdrop, it also details Poch’s life: his childhood, his struggles in Argentina, his cauldron days in Espanyol and finally landing up in Southampton and then, the struggling Spurs. I was amazed to see the honesty and candour with which he describes some of the intimate details. For instance, he has sour relations with his siblings, or that the geographical distance, the difference in cultures has placed a unbridgeable wedge b/w him and his parents. In terms of football, what strikes you is how focussed he is in preparing his team, where every tiny detail is taken into account. Using an adapting, fluid and plastic training program, Poch and his redoubtable team of Jesus, Toni and the rest, are constantly tuning and tweaking to the changing circumstances. He obviously relies on data and modern science but he blends it with an intuitive, 'energy-based' approach. Once he even mentions he can sense auras! From what I gathered from the book, Poch is not for the short term. No- he wants to forge a Ferguson-like Legacy at Tottenham. In our modern muscular-Mourinho times, with the get-success-quick, instant gratification philosophy, its refreshing to see someone trying to climb the long, hard greasy pole of true success. As a die-hard Spurs fan, naturally my opinion will be biased. But to all people who are interested in football, leadership and even life, this is a fine read.

Great insight into how our beloved Spurs are changing by looking into our favourite Manager’s mind, his ideas and his ideals.

COYS

Not the greatest, but Poch is self effaccing although ambitious in his views. Could be better paced - struggles to maintain it's identity as a biography of Poch's vision or Poch's personal diary.