Argentine Mauricio Pochettino became Tottenham Hotspur’s 10th manager in the last 13 years when he was appointed on a five-year contract yesterday after leaving Premier League rivals South-ampton.
The 42-year-old former international defender takes over from Tim Sherwood who was sacked by Spurs at the end of last season five months after replacing Andre Villas-Boas.
Pochettino, who had managed Southampton since January last year, is the second Argentine to hold the job at Spurs after World Cup winner Ossie Ardiles who was in charge 20 years ago.
His task is to bring back the domestic and European honours Tottenham won when Ardiles and his equally revered Argentine compatriot Ricky Villa played for the north London club in the 1980s, and to secure Champions League football.
“In Mauricio I believe we have a head coach who, with his high energy, attacking football, will embrace the style of play we associate with our club,” Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said.
“He has a proven ability to develop each player as an individual, whilst building great team spirit and a winning mentality. We have a talented squad that Mauricio is excited to be coaching next season.”
Pochettino added: “This is a club with tremendous history and prestige and I am honoured to have been given this opportunity.
“There is an abundance of top-class talent at the club and I am looking forward to starting work with the squad.”
Pochettino cut his managerial teeth at Espanyol but, after two decent seasons, lost his job with the club bottom of La Liga in 2012.
He quickly resurfaced at Southampton in January 2013 with the club 15th in the standings, finally ending the season 14th.
Pochettino began to make his mark during his first and what has proved to be his only full season with the Saints, playing some bright inventive attacking football.
Southampton achieved some good wins last season but lost home and away against Spurs, losing 3-2 in Sherwood’s first match in charge at St Mary’s in December and by the same scoreline at White Hart Lane in March after leading 2-0.
Spurs were reportedly also interested in Ajax coach Frank de Boer but Pochettino’s attacking style should find an appreciative audience at White Hart Lane.