Mauricio Pochettino has so much work to do when he takes over Chelsea, and trying to create a family environment will be right at the top of the Argentine's list
Mauricio Pochettino is a man who tries to create an atmosphere akin to a family wherever he works.
The Argentine has managed four clubs in his time as a coach, with trophy-winning spells at Espanyol and Paris Saint-Germain and equally impressive stints at Southampton and Tottenham despite not collecting any major honours. At all four of those clubs, Pochettino has created a brand of football that is easy on the eye but also super impressive and effective in the way it is carried out.
Being able to effectively teach his style of football to his new players at each of his clubs would have been a challenge for Pochettino, one with so many things to consider. Psychology is something Pochettino really considers at a football club. Having played 17 years as a professional himself, including spells at PSG and Espanyol, Pochettino knows all too well about some of the difficulties professional footballers are forced to face mentally on a daily basis.
During his days at Tottenham, Pochettino persuaded the club to build a BBQ area at the club's training ground to try and lift the squad's morale. Those are the little things that make Pochettino stand out to the rest.
Speaking on the High Performance podcast in 2020, Pochettino was asked about players that don't buy into his 'philosophy', and replied: "No, I think first of all it's not my philosophy, it's our philosophy. And then like the stuff we build a philosophy.
"I think the player, I think you need to, to work with them, for them to understand that our philosophy is to try to find the best way and the best tool for them to perform in the way that they want to performance.
"Because it's very simple the psychology in football. I was a professional player: I played World Cups, I won titles when I was a player. Some managers maybe didn't play football in a professional site. I play and no one can tell me how you feel and only if you are professional player you are going to understand this player. But the player is so simple because the player wants to play, and the player wants to be the best on the pitch.
"And when you are the assistant manager, the coach, the physio, the doctor, they need to feel the confidence. I need to feel the trust in the people that is close to you. And when they player understands that you are working for them, it's not about philosophy to play one, four, four, two or one, four, three, three, or play more defensive in a counterattack, or dominate the game. It's about that they feel that you want the best for them. That is the most important thing.
"Philosophy, a style of football or different ideas, I think are not important. First of all they need to understand the player that all that we are going to do are not to punish them. Always if we are not going to give one week off, is because want the best for them. If after one game, and you are going to play another game, and if you give three days off and the player go to France, to Spain, and Spain - nice life - yes.
"First of all the player is going to be happy because you allowed to go, but afterward they are not going to [give the best] performance on the pitch. They are going to attack you - say 'come on, you need to be professional'. But that is difficult to create this thin line, be fair when the player needs holidays, when the player, the player needs a rest, but when you need to push them. But always is for me that isn't the key, the key point and the player needs to trust in you."
Pochettino is renowned for his man-management skills. It's understood to be one of the many attributes the Argentine has that make him so attractive to Chelsea for their ambitious long-term project.
The 51-year-old is due in London at some point this week to finalise the deal to see him become the Blues' new permanent head coach at the end of the season. Pochettino will take charge of his new squad for pre-season as he looks to build those key relationships with the players ahead of his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge.
Mauricio Pochettino has already outlined why Romelu Lukaku can star for Chelsea next season