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Mauricio Pochettino has spoken about the transformative period at Tottenham Hotspur where he helped Harry Kane overcome “bad habits” to reach the top of world football.
Current US men’s soccer and former Spurs boss revealed a frank conversation about professionalism was necessary to boost the striker from a fringe player to an elite goalscorer.
From fourth option to world class
When Pochettino arrived at White Hart Lane in 2014, Kane was struggling to make an impact and sat behind several other strikers in the pecking order.
The Argentine coach identified that although the young striker had a determined mentality, his off-field discipline and training routines prevented him from reaching his full potential.
By implementing a rigorous new training program and addressing lifestyle choices, the coaching staff helped ease Kane’s transition to becoming Tottenham’s all-time record goalscorer.
Fixing the defects
Pochettino explained that Kane’s rise was not immediate and required a significant change in the player’s daily approach to his craft.
The coach highlighted the importance of the forward’s intelligence to accept difficult comments and make the necessary changes in his diet and physical preparation.
Reflecting on those early days during an appearance on the Stay with football On the podcast, Pochettino said: “When Tim Sherwood left the club and we arrived, I think Harry Kane was the third or fourth striker. “When we started working with Harry, we saw that his mentality was determined to succeed.
“It’s true that he didn’t have the best habits, but after we talked to him, he was very smart and quickly changed those habits (training, eating, etc.). We are proud, but it is him and the people who are by his side that made him successful.”
An enduring love for North London
Beyond discussing Kane’s development, Pochettino expressed a deep emotional connection to the Premier League and his former club.
As he prepares to lead the United States in the 2026 World Cup, the coach suggested his philosophy remains perfectly aligned with the culture of English soccer.
Speaking of his affection for the Spurs project and the possibility of an eventual return to the division, he added: “One day yes, because I like England a lot. I think my human profile and my coaching profile fit very well with the Premier League and with the culture, the idea, the idiosyncrasies and the philosophy.
“I really love Tottenham. It is one of the most important parts of my life as a coach and also in my personal life. I can speak from my experience at Tottenham, and what I can tell you is one of the biggest clubs in the world. I think that when we competed there, we were competing with important people.”
Focus on the World Cup and German dominance
Pochettino is currently focused on the immense task of leading a host nation in this summer’s World Cup, a tournament that could define his legacy as an international coach.
Meanwhile, his former protégé Kane continues to thrive in Germany, having recently claimed back-to-back Bundesliga titles with Bayern and maintaining an astonishing goal-scoring rate.
While the manager’s return to the Premier League remains a future ambition, both men are currently preoccupied with achieving major honors on the world and European stages.
