Pochettino passionately defends his methods after World Cup squad criticism | OneFootball

Mauricio Pochettino has passionately defended himself after criticism for how he handled the announcement of the United States World Cup squad.

After naming a 55-man preliminary squad, the Argentine coach informed the players via email whether they would have the once in a lifetime opportunity to represent their nation on home soil in the World Cup or not.

The US national team manager has now faced backlash for a lack of communication with his players.

“Come on, that is b*******,” Pochettino hit back at critics.

The coach explained: “That doesn’t mean that we don’t care about the players. Because we care a lot, we don’t want to say nothing to confuse the player.

“Like when I was sacked in different clubs, one was in Tottenham, and Daniel [Levy] the president said ‘I want to talk with you’.

“What do you want to talk about with me, if you sack me? You talk before you sack me not after when you made the decision and there’s nothing to say. I don’t want to hear nothing.”

The Argentine manager passionately continued: “I understand the players that didn’t make the roster they don’t want to hear me say ‘oh I apologise, oh whatever’.

“I care. Do you know why I care? Because during two weeks I didn’t sleep.

“And today I still can’t enjoy the 26 guys that are in front of me because I am thinking about players that are out.

“That is our target it is not to call because if I call, it’s about myself. If I say ‘oh I am very human, I will call him’ and then give an explanation. Come on, that is b*******.”