'With him we learned to believe' - Spurs legend Ardiles pays tribute to Poch

Tottenham legend Ossie Ardiles has paid tribute to countryman Mauricio Pochettino after he was sacked by the club, declaring: “He put us in the elite of world football”.

Pochettino's five-year tenure came to an end on Tuesday night, when a statement from chairman Daniel Levy confirmed his departure.

The shock decision comes off the back of a poor start to the domestic season, but less than six months after Pochettino guided Spurs to their first ever Champions League final.

"One glorious chapter in our club history has come to an end today,” Ardiles wrote on Twitter. “From my part I would like to say a big, big thank you to Mauricio for everything he has done for our club. These 5 years have been a rollercoaster of a ride.

"In extremely difficult circumstances, leaving our beloved White Hart Lane - who can forget The Finale? - playing at Wembley, etc., Mauricio put us in the elite of world football. We owe him so many memories. Where to start? With him we learned to 'believe'. Everybody at Spurs owe him so much.

"It was such a pleasure to arrive in the training ground and witness the camaraderie, the atmosphere there. From everybody. From my personal point of view, life gave me a wonderful present. Unique. His friendship. The friendship of a wonderful, principled man that would last forever.

"Mauricio, my friend, have a very good and deserved rest and come back to football (football needs people like you) revitalised, refresh. And, of course, we meet again... On behalf of everybody at Spurs (and I know I talk for everybody)... THANK YOU!!!! And of course, COYS!!!!"