Mauricio Pochettino sticks boot in on Mike Dean over 'stupid' antics after backlash
· Mirror
Mauricio Pochettino says Mike Dean made a mistake in making a joke at "sensitive time" following the recent backlash over comments made by the ex-Premier League ref
Mauricio Pochettino says Mike Dean has a habit of saying “stupid” things - and is being “controversial” to stay in the spotlight.
Former Premier League referee Dean caused outrage last week when he said on a podcast that he would play his own games during matches to see how long he could go without blowing the whistle or leaving the centre circle.
Former Tottenham boss Pochettino was involved in one high-profile bust-up with Dean when the referee turned TV pundit made a comment which enraged the Spurs coaching staff as they left the pitch following a defeat at Burnley in February 2019.
Pochettino admits the latest Dean controversy has not surprised him given his history with the official who is now a regular on Sky Sports. The United States boss said: “What he said was a stupid thing. But our code is we never talk about what happened on the pitch. It's like what happened in Las Vegas - stays in Las Vegas.
> “But in that moment we were under pressure. The perception was ‘Tottenham need to win something.’ It's true that we were a little bit under pressure.
> “We were disappointed in that game. One stupid thing, it makes you react so quick. It's not that we cannot deal with it.
> “But it was like in my position, I would never do that. How do you say? Make a joke? I'm not going to be the funny guy to do some joke if you are under pressure in your job.
> “He was controversial. His character now - he's showing how he was. People maybe like him, people maybe do not. Maybe now he's playing a little bit with the personality, and to try to be funny, and to create some controversial things.
> “He's putting some salt, pepper, like a chili, some condiments (on a steak). He needs to understand that ‘OK, let’s not put gasoline on to the fire.’
> “It was always funny to be with him. We had a good relationship. It was only this action, that situation, that was tough because we were in a very sensitive moment.”
Meanwhile, Pochettino says this should be “Harry Kane’s time” to win the Ballon D'Or. He is backing the England captain to be crowned the best player in the world, with Kane is the bookies’ favourite to get the award next month after being nominated along with the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Rodri and Lionel Messi.
Pochettino claims Kane’s 73 goal haul last season means he is the most deserving candidate in this year’s voting. And he says Luka Modric, Fabio Cannavaro and Karim Benzema all deserved it as the crowning glory in their career and Kane should get the same respect even if Bayern and England did not get past the semi final in the Champions League and World Cup respectively.
United States boss Pochettino said: “My wish… I hope yes. I think he deserves it as the reward for his career and for all what he has done in football.
> “I don’t know if he is going to be punished for the World Cup or the Champions League because he played in the semi final and the semi final. Maybe he will be punished, I don’t know.
> “But, for me, it’s Harry Kane’s time. It’s not clear today who is the No1 in the world who should win. In the past, it was more clear. I think he deserves it. He deserves it in his career like Modric or Cannavaro. Benzema. I think if I pick one then it’s Harry Kane.”