According to the Telegraph, Arsenal manager Unai Emery has expressed his ‘surprise’ at Tottenham Hotspur’s decision to sack Mauricio Pochettino.
The Telegraph add that Emery considers himself to be a friend of the Argentinean’s.
Whilst some Arsenal fans may see a rival club’s decision to part ways with a manager as a success; Daniel Levy’s shock move comes as bittersweet for Emery as he obviously wouldn’t have wanted his friend to be sacked – even considering the two north London clubs’ fierce rivalry.
As per Spurs’ official website, former Chelsea and Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has been appointed as Tottenham’s manager until the end of the 2022/23 season.
Here’s what Emery had to say on Pochettino’s departure:
“Maybe in the last matches they did not achieve good results, but I think overall their way in the last years with Pochettino was perfect,”
“And now, they decided to change. I don’t know exactly the real reason for doing that, but they have their way and we have our way and then we are going to battle in our moments.”
“I think it’s a surprise how it’s finishing, that relationship with Pochettino. But I don’t know exactly why and I don’t know exactly how he [Jose Mourinho] is going to change their performance.”
“He [Mourinho] is a very good coach. Really, his career is very strong with the titles, with the experience. But I think also, Pochettino’s work in Tottenham was amazing.”
Pochettino led Spurs to the Champions League final last season but Tottenham’s poor form in the Premier League ultimately led to him being relieved of his duties.
Emery will be hoping to avoid the same fate as his pal and get the Gunners back to winning ways in the league – starting with a home clash against relegation candidates Southampton this week.
We haven’t won any of our last four Premier League games and upcoming clashes against the Saints and their fellow relegation battlers Norwich provides us with a chance to get back into some rhythm.