Tottenham Hotspur parted ways with Mauricio Pochettino on November 19th, just months after he guided Spurs to the first Champions League final in the club’s history.
The north London side relieved the former Southampton boss of his duties during the last international break of 2019 and then appointed José Mourinho as his successor.
Toby Alderweireld was on international duty with Belgium when Pochettino was shown the exit door by Daniel Levy and he received the news about the manager’s sacking just after his national team registered a crushing 6-1 victory over Cyprus.
Het Nieuwsblad sat down for a lengthy interview with the centre-back and he gave his thoughts on the Argentine’s departure from Tottenham.
“If you are in the middle of it, you will see things coming less because you focus on the matches. With the Red Devils, we had thirty out of thirty points. You are in a positive vibe,” the defender explained.
“Then came the news of his dismissal. For me it was bad news because you are always loyal to your trainer.
“The next day another trainer suddenly comes to you. That was very strange, but that is also part of football. Then you try to make the best of it.”
Alderweireld explained he’s lucky to have been coached by top class managers in his career.
“I am lucky to have been able to work with many great personalities: Marco van Basten, Diego Simeone, Mauricio Pochettino, Ronald Koeman, Roberto Martinez. I even count Marc Wilmots. He was a Belgian legend,” he said.
“But the moment a big trainer like José Mourinho enters, you’re never used to that. He also came unexpectedly.”
“Pochettino was fired when I was playing a match with Belgium. I got the news when I got into the dressing room. Immediately afterwards I got questions about it from Belgian journalists. It all went so fast that I didn’t have time to think about it. “
The 31-year-old was a regular figure in the English club’s back four when Pochettino was in charge and Alderweireld has continued to hold his position under Mourinho.
Alderweireld has made 34 starts in all competitions for Tottenham this season, managing a goal and two assists in the process.
