Mauricio Pochettino already finds himself under pressure after a far from ideal start. While Tottenham look set to once again qualify for the later stages of the Europa League, their league form has been inconsistent to say the least. His style of football is known for its high-pressing and possession football yet there has been little of that to see at White Hart Lane so far. However, he spoke to ‘El Pais’ yesterday, prior to the game against Stoke City, where he said, “This is football. I love it.”

Why are you so well-liked in the Premier League?

(Poch) That’s the first I’ve heard that! No, I don’t know. I imagine it’s because they respect the way we were a breath of fresh air at Southampton. And not only because we played well, but because we brought a different style and tactics (to the league). That, and we believed in the talent of our English players.

Do they undervalue the quality of English players (in England)?

Absolutely. We believe more in them than they do themselves. It’s the same as what happened in Spain 20 years ago; when I arrived at Espanyol, they valued me higher because I was a foreigner. And here, they undervalue English players. You only need to trust them and show them our way of playing.

Does it clash with the fans when you make such radical changes?

No. Nowadays, with the level of information widely available, and because football is global, everyone believes they should practice how they feel they need to, or because of the culture around them. But there are distinctive coaches, like Brendan Rodgers, who offer another type of football. Here, (in England) you can play in various different styles and systems. And while it’s true that there still is an element of ‘seven-eleven’ (long ball to the wingers so they can cross for the striker in the area) football, English players are also capable of learning whichever other style they are shown.

Is the Premier League a refined taste?

It’s true that a lot of academies teach their youngsters to play from the back, so ‘seven-eleven’ has been left behind at the monet. But you can’t go against their culture. Amongst other things, because English football has unrivalled passion and that is ahead of everything else. A corner or a throw-in is cheered like a goal and that drives you forward. You can’t lose that. Nor the honesty in the game they have.

But when you were a player, you said preferred those ‘intelligent’ players (who won freekicks or penalties with a dive).

Well, I’ve changed my way of thinking. Football is for smart, intelligent people without the need to overreact. At the end of the day you play to outmaneuver; outsmart the opposition. But we need to avoid cheating. I prefer ‘smart’ players.

And why is English football so passionate?

For the culture, for what they’ve inherited from their families and because they wait to see their team play on a Sunday. It’s the opportunity to see them (play). It isn’t like in Spain, where you can see your team train every day of the week.

Inside that English culture, there is beer drinking. Has it been difficult to change the habits of some of your players?

It’s true that they like to have a beer but since I’ve been here, I’ve not had any problems. They are very professional. Although I’m not a policeman either (I don’t investigate everything they do). They have their night outs (like everybody) but they are always responsible and respectful of the contract they signed with the club.

You aren’t a policeman, but are you a sargent?

Hold on. We come from a place where we love to train. And we had double sessions, which isn’t common here. Their mentality isn’t like that. You need to treat them correctly. We should improve their level of ‘suffering’. English players are very intense and they need to improve their resistance and suffering (no pain, no gain) to extend that aggression for longer periods of the game. But we are changing that.

Does the phrase, ‘suffer in training so you don’t suffer in a game’ hold true?

Yes, because they understand they do this to enjoy playing more.

But are they scared (of stronger training methods)?

When we were at Southampton, they (the media) talked about how hard the training sessions were. But I told them we weren’t crazy. You need to also realise that sometimes life can be too comfortable for a footballer. I told them as a former player, and because I believe you get out what you put in, you need to work harder. But I hope they aren’t scared. Instead, it should be respect (the methods), as that’s the most difficult to earn. And I think we have that because they knew they would grow with us. It’s our task, to get better contracts, to grow, so in the end we’re happier. And for them all methods (to achieve those goals) are good. I’m always different. Sometimes tough, other times distant, other times caring. And the group should know, very clearly, how to behave. You can’t ever become a friend of a player because that’s a very strong word. But the player should give everything he has. And that is what we want, because you can’t ask for them to give more than they possibly can.

And among those players, is there as much hierarchy as we are lead to believe in the dressing rooms (in English football)?

Maybe 20 years ago as the veteran of the squad was given a lot of power by the coach and the club. The youngsters suffered because of that. Now everything is a lot more normal. But it’s nice to keep some traditions; I love to see the under-21 players, like Shaw or Lallana, cleaning the boots of the first team after training with them. These moments mark a player. It’s the humility, the respect and the ambition that one day someone will clean my boots. In Spain, for example, you tell a 17-year-old lad to do that and he’d reply, “Me? But I’m a professional and I’m sponsored by different brands and have an agent.”

Another tradition, in England, is having a meeting with the rival manager after the game. How are you finding that?

When you lose it’s difficult. Honestly, I decide not to (have a meeting) most of the time. I always use an excuse like I need to do interviews or a press conference. Although if I’m up against a friend like Roberto Martinez or Mourinho, I’ll go. But with those I don’t really know, it doesn’t really matter if I go or not. I’m not very friendly after games. Not even when we’ve won.

What is the objective at Tottenham?

To teach my philosophy and give the youngsters a chance. We have the best training facilities in Europe and we need to get the maximum out of them.

But your team currently finds itself in the middle of the table.

Here, (at Tottenham,) the fans aren’t expecting to win the title in 5 years, which could have happened a few years ago. With the increase of owners from outside of European football, the manager isn’t only a manager any more.

Do you think about returning to Spain?

When they lower the taxes, maybe? But no, seriously, in football, as Jorge Griffa (former coach at Newell’s) said, it can take you anywhere. You can’t control it. Who would have told you that 20 months after leaving Espanyol I’d be the first team coach at Tottenham?