"More than a coach" – Tottenham relationship between Pochettino and player has continued

03/29/2025 10:16 AM

Former Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has heaped praise on manager Mauricio Pochettino, insisting he is "more than a coach".

La Nacion have a long interview with the LA Galaxy goalkeeper today in which his time at Tottenham is naturally discussed, given it saw him working with several Argentines over the years.

Chief among them was Pochettino, who arrived as manager in July 2014 and would spent the next five years at the club, managing 293 games in total.

That meant he was a huge part of Lloris' career as he made 229 appearances under him in total, the most of any manager in the 38-year-old's career.

And it seems he has nothing but positive things to say about his former coach, considering him as more than just a manager.

"Mauricio Pochettino, who is more than a coach. We’re still in touch with him; we’re friends. We have a very nice relationship," he said when asked about him.

Interestingly, the pair are now just a stone's throw away from each other as the former Tottenham manager is now in charge of the USA national team.

He was appointed in September last year, following in Lloris' footsteps after he made the move to LA Galaxy at the end of the January transfer window.

The pressure is now on Pochettino as the USA prepares to host the World Cup next year, but Lloris is confident his former boss will be ready.

"It’s crazy that we’re now in America. I’m playing for the MLS and he’s the manager of the national team," he added.

"I’m very happy to see him in this challenge and I’m very proud of him… It’s a great responsibility to be the manager of the team that will host the next World Cup.

"It’s a lot of pressure, but I know Mauricio and his staff, and I have no doubt that he’ll be ready to compete in the World Cup and will put in a good performance. Despite the great expectations it generates, I know Mauricio will do a great job."

Pochettino isn't the only Argentine that Lloris worked with during his career, particularly at Tottenham, where several came and went over his 12 year stay at the club.

Indeed, it is his relationship with them that has sparked this conversation with La Nacion, who were well aware of the numerous Argentine friends the former Tottenham man has made down the years.

And he has nothing but positive things to say about those he met, particularly at Tottenham, where he formed lifelong friendships.

"Honestly, I have a very good connection with my Argentine teammates," he concluded.

"When I moved to Tottenham, I met a lot of Argentinians. Mauricio Pochettino, who is more than a coach. We’re still in touch with him; we’re friends. We have a very nice relationship. Also with goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga, Juan Foyth, with ‘Coco’ Lamela too, who is one of my best friends in football. And of course, with Gio Lo Celso and ‘Cuti’ Romero. I can only speak highly of all of them.

"They’re very good people. I’m very grateful to have met them. They all have very nice personalities, they greatly respect their country, Argentina, and they are great human beings. They have energy and a positive spirit and are very dedicated to soccer."

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