Harry Kane has given Mauricio Pochettino the strongest endorsement yet for the Manchester United job, telling reporters he “can’t speak highly enough” of the manager who shaped his career at Tottenham.
Kane spoke at England’s press conference on Wednesday, a day before his record 126th cap against Croatia at Wembley. Asked about Pochettino’s expected move to Old Trafford, the England captain did not hesitate.
“Yeah, me and Mauricio obviously have a fantastic relationship,” Kane said. “I mentioned him as one of the coaches that had a big impact on my career and definitely my development. At that stage of my career, I needed his guidance and the way he pushed me, not just on the pitch but off the pitch as well, was really, really helpful.”
Five years that made Kane
Kane worked under Pochettino for five years at Tottenham, from 2014 to 2019, and the Argentine turned a raw academy striker into one of the best forwards in Europe. Kane scored 21 Premier League goals in his breakthrough 2014-15 season, then went on to score 280 goals in 435 appearances for Spurs. Together they reached the 2015 League Cup final and the 2019 Champions League final.
“Obviously a fantastic coach, he’s managed the biggest clubs in the world,” Kane added. “From my point of view, I can’t speak highly enough of him. So yeah, we’ll have to wait and see what happens. But I know he’s a great guy, but also a fantastic manager.”
Kane’s praise carried extra weight because he named Pochettino in his Ballon d’Or acceptance speech last month, crediting the Argentine among the coaches who shaped him.
Kane backs Pochettino as United move closer
Kane backs Pochettino at the moment United are closing in on the Argentine. Sky Sports reported on Wednesday that United have reached a verbal agreement in principle with Pochettino, and are willing to pay the $10 million (£7.4 million) release clause in his contract with the United States. Pochettino has been in charge of the USA since September 2024 and is contracted until the 2030 World Cup.
Michael Carrick is still expected to be sacked, but he has not been formally told of his fate. He took training at Carrington again on Wednesday, with the final decision resting on the meeting in Monaco between Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox. Pochettino is expected to be in place for United’s next game, away at Liverpool on Sunday 22 November.
Across the Atlantic, US Soccer cancelled its scheduled media duties, and defender Chris Richards told reporters Pochettino has not yet addressed the United situation with his players. Pochettino is still due to take charge of the USA against Haiti on Saturday.
A record cap, then a new era at Old Trafford
For Kane, Thursday night is about his own history. A 126th cap against Croatia will make him England’s most-capped men’s player, passing Peter Shilton’s 125. But his words about Pochettino will have been heard loudest in Manchester.
United sit 18th with one win from 10 games after Sunday’s 4-4 draw with Aston Villa, and the man Kane credits with making him is now the clear favourite to fix them.
For more on the international break, check today’s predictions.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0, Bryan Berlin) — collage by SportsBuddy
