Pochettino Critiques Barcelona’s Decision-Making

Mauricio Pochettino has a long history with Espanyol, serving both as a player and coach. This background shapes his views on the strong rivalry with Barcelona, their local rivals.

Details: Pochettino stated that Espanyol represents Catalonia better than Barcelona, criticizing the latter’s approach.

Quote: “I believe Espanyol is a much more independent club and more Catalan than Barcelona. I always try to explain this, and no one should take offense. They say that Barcelona is ‘more than a club.’ What does that mean? That children should be raised with certain ideas? I think Barcelona is mistaken in this regard. Every team has its own culture, and Barcelona is a great club.

But I don’t agree with what they want to impose on me or sell to the people. The phrase: ‘I’d rather go work on my farm in Argentina than coach Barcelona’? That still stands, doesn’t it? My identification with Espanyol is absolute. People always ask me: ‘If one day Barça offers you a job, what will you say?’ I can say that I will not coach Barcelona,” Pochettino told Mundo Deportivo.