Fuming Pochettino threatens to put MANNEQUIN in Southampton dugout to mock his touchline ban
Tottenham chief says he has been left 'sad and disappointed' by the 'unbelievable' punishment but has a cunning trick up his sleeve
Posted Friday, March 08, 2019 by Thesun.co.uk
MAURICIO POCHETTINO is "shocked" by his two-match touchline ban, branding it "completely unfair."
And the Tottenham boss threatened to make dummies of the FA by putting a MANNEQUIN in the visitors' dugout at Southampton.
How Pochettino's dummy could look in the Spurs dugout
Poch will watch tomorrow's clash at St Mary's from the directors' box as punishment for his on-pitch rant at referee Mike Dean at the end of Spurs' 2-1 defeat away to Burnley last month.
The Argentine said: "I am in shock because a two-game ban is completely unfair.
"It's not proportionate, it's exaggerated. But what can I do? Nothing."
Poch also misses the big clash at Liverpool and was hit with a £10,000 fine. He expected to miss just one game after he admitted an FA charge of improper conduct.
The Spurs boss added: "I am banned but we don't know the reasons because the letter from the FA still has not arrived. I am curious to see why they decided to do what they did. It's unbelievable."
Poch is considering an appeal and joked: "I'm going to put a mannequin with my face on it on the bench, so the players can say, 'The gaffer's there'.
"I'm allowed to go to the changing room, I'm just not allowed on the bench. It's so strange.
"I understand it wasn't proper to talk to the ref in that way. But I never believed I was going to be banned for two games.
"I feel sad and disappointed with the punishment. Now I need to see the reasons why and then we'll see what happens."
Pochettino will also ask Gareth Southgate if Harry Winks, Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Kieran Trippier can be excused from England duty this month.
Poch wants his midfield trio of Winks, Alli and Dier to be allowed to rest as they recover from injury, while Trippier has a muscle strain.
England manager Southgate's medical team visited Tottenham's Enfield training HQ yesterday to check on the club's Three Lions stars ahead of their Euro qualifiers at home to Czech Republic and away to Montenegro.
But Pochettino knows there is nothing he can do to stop striker and Three Lions skipper Harry Kane from joining up.
Poch said: "Of course we are going to talk about all the English players' potential call-ups."
Photos
More»Glam TV host Diletta Leotta begs Loris Karius to QUIT Newcastle
Thursday March 28 2024Fans stunned by Astrid Wett’s outfit
Thursday March 28 2024[PICTURE SPECIAL] England 2-2 Belgium
Wednesday March 27 2024
Your Say