'I was a Man Utd fan' – Pochettino confesses ahead of crunch clash
Premier League
By
Mirror
| Jan 12, 2019
Mauricio Pochettino became a Manchester United for a night - and it was all because of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Argentinian boss admits he was “shouting, celebrating” as the Norwegian netted his dramatic Champions League winner for Manchester United in 1999.
Pochettino and Solskjaer go head to head tomorrow at Wembley in what could be a glorified job interview between the favourites for the permanent United job.
But despite his Barcelona delight the Spurs boss, the top target to replace Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford, was quick to deny he is a secret United fan.
He revealed he and Espanyol team-mate and current Tottenham goalkeeper coach Toni Jimenez went to the Nou Camp for United’s clash with Bayern Munich and said: “I was there with Toni watching a fantastic game as a neutral.
“But how I shouted for the Manchester United goal was incredible.
“It was 90 minutes when Teddy Sheringham scored, when Peter Schmeichel went up to the penalty box.
“And we said ‘wow, amazing game, now injury time.’
“And then, when Solskjaer scored, we were shouting, celebrating, I don’t know why because in that moment we were neutral.
“But the atmosphere was amazing. And now it is a coincidence that we are meeting 20 years later.”
Last night Solskjaer says he understands why Pochettino is a contender for the Manchester United job.
Caretaker United boss Solskjaer, who has won his first five games in charge, faces his biggest test on Sunday when he takes on Pochettino's Tottenham.
Pochettino is the first-choice of the United board to take the job on a permanent basis in the summer when Solskjaer's interim spell in charge is up.
And Solskjaer, who has made no secret of his desire to take the job on a full-time basis himself, admitted he can see why the Spurs boss is a major contender.
“He's done a very good job,” said Solskjaer. “He's one of the - the speculation is there for a reason because he's done well.