Toby Alderweireld expects ‘big manager’ to succeed Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham with Jose Mourinho linked

Looking ahead | Spurs defender reacts to Pochettino’s sacking
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images
Richard Parry19 November 2019

Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld expects the club to appoint a ‘big manager’ after the sacking of Mauricio Pochettino sent shockwaves through the football community.

Pochettino has been axed six months after guiding Tottenham to their first Champions League final, after Spurs suffered a severe slump in domestic form since February.

Chairman Daniel Levy admitted the board were ‘extremely reluctant’ to make the decision, but concede that domestic results were simply not good enough.

The news broke just minutes before many of the Tottenham players were taking to the field for their respective countries.

Alderweireld, fresh from Belgium’s 6-1 win over Cyrpus, was asked for his reaction by Sky Sports.

"It's big news, I heard it after the game,” said Alderweireld. “It's part of football, but it's never nice to see your manager leave," the defender told Sky Sports, after Belgium 6-1 victory over Cyprus. "I had no idea it was going to happen, not at all, so it's a surprise to me as well. It will take a couple of days to set in.

"The club made the decision, we have to accept this and try to change the situation as quickly as possible. We came a long way together, we achieved big things, so we have to be thankful for what he achieved at the club. He brought the club to the next level.

"This is the first time in my career there has been a managerial change, it's strange but I cannot say how it's going to feel. We just have to try hard, stay together and change as quickly as possible together.”

Former Chelsea, Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is the bookmakers favourite for the role, and when quizzed about his potential arrival Alderweireld stated that big clubs need big managers.

"Spurs are a big club so I know there will be a big manager for us. Hopefully we know [who it is] quickly."

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