Pochettino apologises over stadium delays

The manager has said that it is his, and his players' job to keep the fans happy, and reward them for their patience.

The London club had planned to move into their new stadium before September 15 when they face Liverpool.

However, due to delays with the construction of the stadium, Spurs will now play the Liverpool tie, and their fixture with Cardiff on October 6, at Wembley stadium.

Speaking to the press ahead of Fulham's visit on Saturday, Pochettino said:

 "I think we all feel disappointed of course, with the announcement from the club this week."

"I feel so sorry for myself first of all, for the fans, for the players, for the club, for everyone."

"Our chairman tried with the board and the people involved in building the new stadium to arrive on time. Massive effort, we feel every day that effort."

"To not deliver for the Liverpool game is a massive disappointment for everyone."

"I understand that everyone is disappointed but our job is to try to help, to be positive, to adapt ourselves."

"We are going to play a few games more - Liverpool and Cardiff - hope they can finish all the work in that moment, and then start to play in our new home."

"If that is not possible, we will give our best to try and win games, be positive."

"I think we need to be all together."

"My message last week was that we need to be together, that our fans understand it is a massive project that will be forever, for them and the club."

"I understand the problems and feel sorry for the fans, and I want to say thank you and apologise - we are going to try and reward them by winning games."

"That is the only way we can act and repay the effort that they are doing for the club."

 

August 13, 2018

It still remains unclear whether the stadium will be ready in time for the Manchester City clash on October 28.

Wembley will be hosting one of the London NFL games on the same day, so it could be problematic if the stadium is still not finished. 

When asked what the plan would be, he Pochettino responded:

"At the moment, I cannot say that we are not going to play the game at our new stadium."

"I always try to be transparent and honest, and I don't know."

"If it is not possible to play in the new stadium of course it is (best) to find a way to play in Wembley, because I think to play in another place - three stadiums in one season - would be too much."

"Maybe the day after the NFL, the pitch is not in the best condition, but we need to make the effort and try to play."

"I try to be positive and not complain about things you cannot change. Our job is to win games."

"In football, more than other business, football is about faith, belief - and we must be positive whether we play in one or other place."