Mauricio Pochettino has expressed his frustration in likely having to miss at least Espanyol’s next game through suspension.
The Coach was sent from the dugout during last weekend’s 3-3 home draw with Athletic Bilbao for taking his protests with the referee too far.
Pochettino confirmed today that although the club have appealed the decision, he is set for a touchline ban, which whilst he hopes ‘is minimal’ when confirmed on Wednesday, still angers him.
“I have had no problem with officials in nearly four years of coaching. I am respectful,” insisted the Coach today to reporters.
“I’m angry because I think it was an injustice and that the referee’s notes do not reflect what happened. He did not put what I said.”
Perez Montero, the referee in question, recorded that Pochettino encountered him and his assistants ‘asking for explanations, shouting…trying unsuccessfully to enter the referee’s changing room’.
Pochettino’s assistant Toni Jimenez will not be able to take charge from the touchline in the Argentine’s place, as he too was dismissed and must also serve a ban, which the club have not contested.
It leaves trainer Jesus Perez to oversee on-field developments for Espanyol’s trip to Real Betis on Saturday.
“The only thing that will change is that I’ll be up in the crowd, rather than in the technical area. I will continue to make the decisions.
“Communication will not be as smooth and orders will be carried out with a slight delay, but it should not affect our performance. We’ll communicate by some kind of walkie-talkie [rather than phone or computer].”
The Coach took some time to take positives from his team’s performance at the weekend, which saw them earn a first point of the season.
“We have broken from the negative dynamic and invited optimism. The future is alive, the team is strong and we are progressing.
“We have played progressive football and been very good, but the results have not reflected that thus far.”
