Tottenham Hotspur

Brad Friedel hails "outstanding" Mauricio Pochettino

By Liam Apicella, Features Editor | 27 October 2014

Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Brad Friedel tells Sports Mole that manager Mauricio Pochettino is already having an impact on the team.

Veteran goalkeeper Brad Friedel has praised the start that Mauricio Pochettino has made to his managerial career at Tottenham Hotspur.

The Argentine took charge at White Hart Lane in the summer, having earned plaudits for the work that he had previously carried out during his time at the helm of both Espanyol and Southampton.

Premier League results have since been mixed for the North Londoners under Pochettino's guidance, with 11 points having been collected from nine outings.

However, Friedel has told Sports Mole that there have been signs in recent weeks that the squad has started to adapt to the 42-year-old's demands, which in time should bring with it more consistent form.

"It's very much early days. The new manager has come in and he's going to have his own style of play. I don't think it's a secret what his style actually is if you've watched his previous teams Espanyol and Southampton," said the American keeper.

"It's very physical and very much in the face of other teams. He wants to play with high energy and to press high. It's like when most managers go into a new club, they need a bit of time to get their players playing the way that they want and also to have a few transfer windows to get the squad that they want.

"He's an outstanding manager. He has his ideas and his training programme is set to meet his ideas. As always, it's down to the players to adapt to what he wants to do. When a new manager comes in and things change, you're bound to get some mixed results. Recently, people can see what the manager is trying to accomplish with the style of play. They can see a positive future for us.

"Every day you see more and more signs [that the players are adapting]. It would be fair to give most managers around four to six months to stamp some of their authority on clubs. It's not something that can be done overnight, but you can see little changes as the weeks go by and players play more and more games. When you get good results, it always helps because the whole club and the fanbase are in a positive frame of mind."

Yesterday's 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Newcastle United has left Spurs 11th in the Premier League.

Brad Friedel was speaking as he took part in the City Index Celebrity Traders Challenge. His page can be viewed here.