Mauricio Pochettino: 'If your own fans don’t want you, there is no point carrying on'

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino insists he would walk away from the club if fans’ criticism ever became too much for him.

In a revealing press conference, the Argentine opened up about his happiness at the lack of drama seen during his four years at the club.

On the occasion of his 46th birthday on Friday, he made quite clear that football was not the be all and end all for him and, despite currently looking a picture of youth, hinted that he would be prepared to quit the game if it ever turned his hair grey.

Pochettino, who pointed out his love for his family, farm and other nature pursuits, also revealed he originally wanted to call time on his career in football by the age of 50 but now has other ideas.

“If your own fans don’t want you, or like you, there is no point to carrying on working because you are going to damage first of all your company, your club and of course, the fans,” he said.

“At some point, you need to go away because the club is always more important than any person. And if I am the point that creates problem between all levels of the club, I think to be honest, I would prefer to go away.”

Things are rosy at Tottenham as they remain on course for sealing a Champions League place by virtue of a top-four finish and are still in good shape in the knock-out stages of the European competition, along with the FA Cup.

Across north London the picture is different with manager Arsene Wenger currently under immense pressure after another miserable run of form at the club.

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However, Pochettino was keen to stress his remarks were in no way a reference to Wenger or Arsenal.

But what is certain is that the Tottenham manager is keen for the easy life, without much in the way of stress and conflict situations.

“For me football is no drama,” he said. “It’s natural. It’s true. I promise you it’s natural. I promise you for me, it is not a drama. Football is a joy.

“Is it stressful? For me the most quiet I am is when we are going to compete. It’s not a drama. For other people it is different but for me football is not a drama, it is a joy.

“Football will never send me grey. Other things will, yes. Family, relationship, those situations.

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“When I was young, when I started my career as a manager I was 36, I said, ‘OK, I will be a manager and my limit is 50’. But now, I don’t know. I promise you, I don’t know if I will be longer like Roy Hodgson or Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger, or maybe I will stop before. I cannot lie. Today I cannot tell you.

“When I watched the football and the manager all the problems and they are criticising everyone and you see fighting with the fans, then you say ‘that is no life’. I’m going to prove, I’m going to try to enjoy doing my job, but if I’m going to suffer or create a drama in my life, then I prefer to go away outside the game. I don’t want to stay fighting with everyone.”

Tottenham host Huddersfield on Saturday keen to continue their current good form.

Jan Vertonghen is likely to return following an ankle injury but Toby Alderweireld looks set to miss this game, as well as next midweek’s Champions League return with Juventus, as he is still working his way back from a hamstring problem.