Mauricio Pochettino: Harry Kane saved me from sack at Tottenham
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ByEurosport
Updated 16/09/2017 at 13:08 GMT
Mauricio Pochettino has revealed he could have been sacked as Tottenham manager without the goals of Harry Kane.
Tottenham Hotspur's English striker Harry Kane (R) is congratulated by Tottenham Hotspur's Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino after being substituted during the UEFA Champions League Group H football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Do
Image credit: Getty Images
Pochettino admits he could have been given the bullet after only four months with Tottenham heading for 14th place in the table and a struggling Aston Villa leading them 1-0 at Villa Park in November 2014.
But goals from Nacer Chadli and substitute Kane in the final six minutes - his seventh in seven games - gave Pochettino's side a 2-1 victory.
The Tottenham manager has hardly looked back since, as his side have finished fifth, third and second in the Premier League over the past three years.
"Maybe I can find many other goals that were fantastic but for me the goals are related to emotion, in the period you are living. For me that goal was an amazing goal because it meant for us, for everyone, the possibility to stay here today," said Pochettino.
"It's true, the team were 14th or 13th and we were a little bit under pressure because the team were there and playing well, but not win games.
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Tottenham Hotspur's English striker Harry Kane is embraced by Tottenham Hotspur's Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino after being substituted during the UEFA Champions League Group H football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Borussia Dortmund at
Image credit: Getty Images
"Always in football, when you don't get good results, the first to be sacked is the manager. That is why that goal allowed us to carry on working and try to change the club.
Kane continued his outstanding contribution to Tottenham by scoring twice against Borussia Dortmund in a 3-1 Champions League win on Wednesday, taking his tally to six goals in four matches for both club and country.
After breaking the 100-mark for Spurs last weekend, Kane also now has four goals in four in the Champions League.
Kane already has 80 Premier League goals in 120 appearances and he will be looking to extend that total on Saturday when Spurs host Swansea at Wembley.
Pochettino believes even Alan Shearer's Premier League best total of 260 goals may not be out of reach.
"Alan Shearer was a great, one of the best," said Pochettino.
But Harry has it all in his hands to try to do everything he wants. He knows well it is step by step and about trying to build his way. I think he is doing fantastic. If you see the stats he has a fantastic record and with Harry's mentality, all can happen.
"His mentality is to stay here. He is so happy not only in the Premier League, he is more than happy to stay at Tottenham. He shows every single day how he loves the club."
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