Mauricio Pochettino: ‘I have a special affection for Real Madrid’

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino admits he has ‘a special affection for Real Madrid’ and played down a fallout with president Florentino Perez.

The Argentine boss claimed on Spanish radio station Cadena Ser last week that Madrid president Florentino Perez had rejected a request from Spurs to sleep on their Valdebebas training ground.

A Madrid statement subsequently denied these claims and was critical of the Spurs boss, who will lead his side against Liverpool in Saturday’s Champions League final in Madrid.

“I'm glad Florentino finally understood my words,” Pochettino told Radio Marca, as cited by El Mundo Deportivo.

“He is a president who has marked an era at the club and I never intended to bother him or an institution to which I have a special affection for like Real Madrid.

“(Former Madrid boss, Jose Antonio) Camacho was the one who brought me in 1994 to Espanyol and transmitted to me the values ​​that marked me a lot and that are linked to the philosophy and spirit of Real Madrid.

“I feel there are many people in Spain who are with me. We have celebrated with Espanyol to get to the Europa League and this follow-up is a continuation of the celebration. We are several Espanyol fans here and I feel the energy of the Espanyol fans.”

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