Sign up to Miguel Delaney’s Reading the Game newsletter sent straight to your inbox for free Sign up to Miguel’s Delaney’s free weekly newsletter
Mauricio Pochettino refused to commit his future to Tottenham in the aftermath of their Champions League final defeat by Liverpool, and said now was the time to stay “calm”.
Spurs fell to a 2-0 loss in Madrid despite playing on the front foot for much of the game, as goals by Mohamed Salah and Divock Origi bookended a stop-start match.
Pochettino has spent five years at Tottenham, showing steady progress each season and coming closer than ever to a major trophy in this remarkable Champions League campaign, but he would not be drawn on whether he would stay on for another season.
“It’s not a moment now to talk too much, because you can interpret things in a different way,” Pochettino said afterwards.
“After five years in Tottenham, it was so clear the project, our ambition was amazing, and the commitment from our players was amazing to bring the club for the first time in history to a Champions League final. But now it’s about staying calm.”
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 LiverpoolShow all 100 1 /100Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final The story of Liverpool's Champions League victory
Getty
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final The ultimate prize in European football sits pitchside before kick-off
AFP/Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Liverpool fans before kick-off
EPA
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Tottenham supporters makes themselves heard
AP
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Steven Gerrard on punditry duty
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Mohamed Salah warms up on the pitch
AFP/Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Harry Kane is a surprise inclusion from the start, having not played since the quarter-finals nearly two months ago
Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final The Spurs players limber up ahead of the game
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Spurs fans begin to fill their end of the stadium
Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Liverpool fans in full voice at the other end
EPA
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final The pre-match show lights up the Madrid evening
PA
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Imagine Dragons take centre stage
Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final The players emerge for kick-off
Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final A minute's applause for the former Arsenal footballer Jose Antonio Reyes, who died on Friday in a road traffic accident
AFP/Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Spurs players embrace each other one last time
AFP/Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Liverpool get the game under way...
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final ... and 26 seconds later, they have a penalty when Moussa Sissoko is adjudged to have handled the ball
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Referee Damir Skomina checks with VAR but the decision stands
Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
EPA
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Mohamed Salah steps up for Liverpool
Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
AFP/Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final The Egyptian drives the ball down the middle as Hugo Lloris dives to his left
Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Salah celebrates opening the scoring with the second fastest goal in Champions League final history
EPA
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
AFP/Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Mauricio Pochettino's side have it all to do
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Harry Kane takes a clattering from Joel Matip
EPA
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Kane is down, but he recovers quickly
Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final A pitch invader briefly halts the action
Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Virgil van Dijk directs the Liverpool defence
PA
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Toby Alderweireld battles with Salah as the game ambles towards half-time
Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final The sun sets on the Wanda Metropolitano
Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Half-time: Tottenham 0-1 Liverpool
AP
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Liverpool fans enjoyed the first half
Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final A smiling Jurgen Klopp looks on from the touchline
Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Harry Kane looks a little frustrated after struggling to make an impact
PA
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Son Heung-min and Trend Alexander-Arnold fight for the ball at the start of the second half
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Mohamed Salah looks to the sky
EPA
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Roberto Firmino and Jan Vertonghen vie for the ball
PA
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Kane and Joel Matip tussle
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final The match from above
Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final The Liverpool forwards in discussion, as they struggle to make any headway since the early goal
EPA
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final The Tottenham fans try to lift their team
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Mo Salah in full flow
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final James Milner replaces Georginio Wijnaldum
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Harry Winks shakes hands with his manager after being replaced by Lucas Moura
Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Trent Alexander-Arnold controls with his chest
Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Alisson claws the ball away from his area as the Spurs pressure builds
EPA
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Tottenham fans watch on anxiously as the clock ticks down
Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Divock Origi shoots into the far corner
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
PA
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final And spins away to celebrate Liverpool's second goal
Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Origi celebrates in front of elated Liverpool fans
AP
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Hugo Lloris reacts after Origi's strike
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Alisson points to the sky
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final The Liverpool bunch erupts
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
AP
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Liverpool players mob Origi
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
AP
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Full-time: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool
Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final The Tottenham players react at the final whistle
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Liverpool celebrate their triumph
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Mauricio Pochettino and Jurgen Klopp shake hands
AFP/Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
EPA
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final The Liverpool plans react at the end of the game
AP
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
PA
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Jubilation for Liverpool the pitch
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Georginio Wijnaldum celebrates
AP
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Harry Kane looks dejected after the result
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Trent Alexander-Arnold lets out a roar
Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Jordan Henderson raises the Champions League trophy
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
AFP/Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
EPA
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
AFP/Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
AFP/Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
AP
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
AP
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
AP
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final Alberto Moreno lifts the trophy wearing a t-shirt dedicated to Jose Antonio Reyes
AFP/Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
REUTERS
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
AFP/Getty Images
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
Reuters
Best photos from the Champions League final: Tottenham 0-2 Liverpool Champions League final
AP
Pochettino made a surprise selection in starting with Harry Kane, despite the striker not having played since the quarter-finals nearly two months ago. Kane struggled to impact the game but his manager insisted he did not regret the decision.
“You want to create a drama, but it’s not a drama. It’s just a decision. He finished the game fresh. I promise, my decision involved a lot of analysis. I don’t regret my decision.”
“Now it’s impossible to talk… I feel so proud of my players. Overall, I think we dominated the game. We created chances. But they were more aggressive, clinical in front of the goal. When that happens, it’s so painful. But at the same time, we have to be calm in the way that we talk, that we analyse the things.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies