Chelsea sacking Pochettino would benefit Tottenham and reveal Postecoglou truth

The majority of Tottenham fans were left gutted when Chelsea confirmed the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino over the summer with Daniel Levy still yet to name Antonio Conte’s permanent successor. The Argentine was head coach of Spurs for over five years with his attacking style of play and excellent recruitment strategy resulting in a Champions League final appearance and several Premier League title battles.

Upon his departure in 2019, the Lilywhites have gone down a very different managerial path with Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte all employed in the following years. However that changed significantly when a week after Pochettino returned to the Premier League, Ange Postecoglou was confirmed as Spurs’ new head coach on a four-year contract.

With 13 games played in the 2023/24 season, it’s fair to say Chelsea and Spurs have endured vastly different starts. Under Postecoglou, the north Londoners have flown out of the blocks while Chelsea stalled, however that has somewhat changed over the last month with the Blues finding some form, until they were hammered by Newcastle this past Saturday, while Spurs have lost their last three games after a major injury crisis hit the club.

Despite an upturn in form, given Chelsea’s often rash decision-making, calls for Pochettino to be sacked already have arisen and that outcome taking place would significantly benefit Spurs, Postecoglou and Levy. Currently though, there is no imminent threat to Pochettino’s job with the Chelsea hierarchy backing him for the long-term project, however as seen with Graham Potter, that could change swiftly.

With that said, football.london has taken a look at what could happen at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium if Pochettino is sacked.

Top four boost

Sacking a manager mid-season rarely works out for teams chasing European spots and that could potentially be the case if Chelsea part ways with Pochettino. The Blues currently sit in tenth and are some way off the Champions League qualification places, but with 25 games still to play, absolutely anything is possible.

Prior to their three-game losing streak, Spurs were in the title conversation, however a top-four finish for Postecoglou in his first season would certainly be a positive result. The likes of Newcastle, Aston Villa and Brighton have already gatecrashed the European scene in the Premier League and Chelsea slipping away could give Spurs a slight edge.

Gallagher transfer hope

Tottenham were interested in signing Conor Gallagher in the summer but the transfer did not take place and since then the Chelsea midfielder has excelled. Often forming a midfield three with Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo, Gallagher appears to be the glue that helps Chelsea tick with his pressing ability a huge attribute.

In the lead up to the summer window, Gallagher was one player expected to depart Stamford Bridge but as long as Pochettino is in charge that looks unlikely to happen. And now The Telegraph write that Pochettino will not consider any bids for the England international in the January transfer window and instead wants to see him sign a new deal at Stamford Bridge.

With the Chelsea head coach as the main driving force behind wanting Gallagher to stay, his departure could then lead to the former Crystal Palace loanee also sealing an exit. Postecoglou is currently dealing with some severe midfield injury worries as Rodrigo Bentancur has now joined Pape Matar Sarr and James Maddison on the injury list and the addition of Gallagher would help matters significantly.

Postecoglou appointment vindicated

Given the history with Pochettino and his availability earlier this year, a reunion being sealed at Tottenham felt like the desired goal after the club lost its identity in the final stages of the 2022/23 season. However, as the managerial search went on, their continued to be no conversation between Pochettino and Levy all while he was heavily considered by Chelsea.

Eventually his arrival in west London was confirmed with Spurs fans left disheartened by his decision to join a huge rival and also Levy’s reluctance to even entertain a return. But, with Postecoglou at the helm, the bold decision made by the club looks to have been a smart one and it will be further vindicated if Pochettino exits Chelsea in the coming months.

While Pochettino got one over on his former employers earlier this month, Spurs currently appear in a better state for both the short-term and long-term under Postecoglou. A four-year deal being handed to the Australian also shows that the faith and trust is there in his abilities to get through the hard times, like the one he currently finds himself in, and end Spurs’ 15-year trophy drought.