Pochettino era ‘was the best’- claims ex-Spurs winger Lamela

Former-Tottenham winger Erik Lamela has revealed all of his time at Tottenham, speaking highly of  former managers Mauricio Pochettino and Jose Mourinho.

Lamela left Spurs in the summer, joining Sevilla in a move that saw Bryan Gil move in the opposite direction.

When asked about the beginning of his career at White Hart Lane, Lamela told The Times: “It was a new project, with a lot of new players. Some of them I spent many years with, like Christian [Eriksen]. I was the last one!

Walter Smith was a football titan – and an even better man

“The era with Pochettino I can say was the best, no? From when Mauricio arrived, the first season maybe wasn’t the best but after that we got better and better.

“We were always very close to the top of the league, second or third. I enjoyed every season there, but to reach the Champions League final [in 2019] was a big success for the club.”

Lamela also admitted that not playing in Spurs Champions League final with Liverpool as a regret.

“It was one of the most important games of my life to play this final but I can say nothing because I didn’t play a minute and that’s something I will always have inside me that doesn’t feel good.

“It was hard to lose that game but, at the same time, we knew that the team had never arrived in that position before and that we’d brought the club very high so you have both things.

“If we win that game we could be in the history forever. Of course, sometimes these types of games change your history. After reaching the Champions League final there was a big pressure on the team to do well and to always get better.”

The Argentinian also spoke about the players shock of Pochettino’s sacking from Spurs.

“We didn’t expect it. He did an amazing job to bring the club to such a high position, to qualify for the Champions League for many years in a row and always in a position to win something.

“The way he managed the team and the way we were training so hard every day, we gave our all to always improve and it was a mental shock that we were there.”

Lamela’s last permanent manager at Spurs was Portuguese icon Mourinho, someone who the winger was quick to praise.

“Jose is an amazing coach. His mentality is amazing.

“He tried his best for the club — I can say that because it’s the truth.

“I know how hard he worked for Tottenham, he was a great guy as well and I enjoyed the time with him.”