It is characteristic of those who have charisma.
Years later, they are immediately remembered.
They mark minds and memories.
When questioning those who rubbed shoulders with Mauricio Pochettino during his first stint at PSG, or a little later, it did not take long to insist.
The Argentinian coach is one of those men of whom we always have an anecdote to recount when talking about it.
"When I told him that I wanted to give him the armband, he looked me in the eyes"
Luis Fernandez, former PSG coach
“I had quickly thought of making him my captain but I waited a bit.
Somehow, he helped me solve my problem with the then president, Laurent Perpère, an incompetent and haughty enarque.
Frédéric Déhu was the captain before I arrived.
But, sometimes, I found that, to speak to this president, Mauricio was stronger.
When I told him I wanted to hand the armband to him, he looked me in the eye and said,
If that's your choice, okay
.
At first, I know that Dehu did not accept my choice and was angry with me.
But a few years ago, he also confided to me:
It was impossible to blame Mauricio.
He was a real leader
.
"
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"He always asked lots of questions"
Eric Blondel, former PSG physical trainer
“What quickly struck me about him was that he turned out to be the perfect link between the technical staff and the players.
He always asked lots of questions about diet or the location of hotels in relation to the stadiums to then pass the information on to the players.
He never spoke excellent French because Luis Fernandez spoke to him in Spanish.
With us, he used the universal terms of football and we understood each other perfectly.
The relationship that Luis had with Mauricio has always been close to that of a big brother with a little brother.
It was really a dream for a coach because he was the dream link.
"
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"He gave his all and always had a smile"
Edouard Cissé, ex-Parisian player
Edouard Cissé and Mauricio Pochettino after a victory against Nancy in the Coupe de la Ligue./LE PARISIEN
“There is one detail that struck me very quickly.
Usually, players approaching their 30s are managing their training and not giving it their all every day.
Mauricio was the first from the warm-up run!
He gave everything and always had a smile.
It was his way of setting an example.
I was quite young and that had marked me.
A real leader, that's it.
In addition, he had integrated without problem and in a few days.
He took great care to attend all the sessions without ever being late.
He lived in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, right next to the Camp des Loges, and it was important for him to live nearby.
"
"He took a projectile in the face but didn't say anything"
Mathias Barbera, ex-PSG press officer
“After a defeat at Guingamp (3-2) when we were leading 2-0, especially after an exceptional goal from Ronaldinho, our bus was chased by… a bus of supporters to Saint-Brieuc airport .
By breaking a fence, they joined us on the tarmac while some of the players were still in the bus.
The situation was very tense.
Mauricio, who was on the plane, came out with Luis Fernandez.
He caught a projectile in the face that was not aimed at him, but said nothing and began to parley and calm the supporters.
They really enjoyed seeing Mauricio that day.
I still remember how calm he was when many of his teammates were much less reassured on the bus.
"
"From the first meal, he immediately put me at ease"
Olivier Guégan, coach of Valenciennes
“I worked with him for two weeks during my internships to get my coaching diploma, in Southampton then in Tottenham.
What struck me is that he only reasons, with his staff, as a team.
It is not him and the others at his service.
He obviously exudes character and charisma but above all he has a huge empathy towards his assistants.
I shared lunches with him and his staff.
From the first meal, he immediately put me at ease on the theme:
It was Miguel (Editor's note: d'Agostino his deputy) who recommended you to come?
I trust him and therefore I trust you
.
It was very fluid.
"
