The chants were loud and clear above the boos.
Tottenham fans were singing, “He’s magic you know - Mauricio Pochettino,” in the concourses during the club’s Champions League exit to AC Milan on Wednesday night. There is no doubt the Spurs supporters want Pochettino back this summer to replace Antonio Conte as his exit looks increasingly inevitable.
And Pochettino’s decision will test the old adage and advice that you should never go back. His critics will always point to a lack of silverware during his five-year reign.
But while trophies are important, that does miss the special connection that Pochettino had with the fans. They loved the Argentine for his football, his personality and the team he built with Hugo Lloris, Toby Alderweireld, Jan Vertonghen, Moussa Dembele, Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Harry Kane.
It was stylish, memorable and carried them to the 2019 Champions League final after the most incredible semi-final win over Ajax. What is forgotten is that Tottenham’s campaign the following season did go sour with a team which had run its course.
But, looking back, it was still so harsh of Daniel Levy, the Tottenham chairman, to pull the trigger at the first sign of trouble. Replacing Pochettino with Jose Mourinho did not go to plan and he was followed by former Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo before Conte arrived in north London.
To say Tottenham have got it badly wrong since firing Pochettino would be a huge understatement - and they have a chance to rewrite history by bringing him back. Pochettino had an 18-month spell at Paris Saint-Germain which, in reality, was not as bad as some would suggest.
Pochettino is the last PSG manager to win a Champions League knockout match and won the Ligue 1 title, and history tells us that no manager has been able to do much better. In short, Pochettino’s stock remains high and Real Madrid could yet come calling for a third time this summer, so that is why going back to Tottenham is such a risk.
This is a squad nowhere near as good as when he left. Conte has not worked because he was brought in to win trophies, secure Champions League qualification and give the club a quick fix after a series of bad appointments and choices.
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But it has not worked and the fans are also fed up with his all-too-negative style of play and want to enjoy better football. Conte cannot help but throw his toys out of the pram as he has not got results, but could yet get Spurs into the top four; it must be 50-50 between Tottenham and Liverpool.
But his time is coming to an end with a disaffected fanbase. Pochettino will be charged with doing what he did before, which was to lift the mood, improve the squad and make Spurs competitive again.
But Pochettino will always be judged against his previous standards. That is a compliment - but also a poisoned chalice. Going back is one hell of a risk and will put his reputation and love affair with the Spurs fans on the line.
