Fitness obsessed & ‘control freak’

“He is very approachable but you need to follow his plan. If you don’t follow his plan, you go on the side and you’re not coming back any more.

“You require to consider group, group, group. If you’re considering yourself, you’re gone.

“As a player you have your own life, your own situation but he says ‘look, I understand and you can talk to me about it but the team is number one’ – that’s the way it is and if you’re not following it, he’ll put you on the sideline.

“He’s simple, has his own concepts and perhaps you concur with them or do not, that’s up to you. You require to follow him and I believe that’s something Manchester United requirement – a huge character, everybody in the exact same instructions, following the strategy and if not, no issue, you can go. He’s the primary guy.

“He’s a very smart man, knows how to talk to the press and what to say. He will create an environment like ‘it’s us against the world’ – we are getting fit, we are together as a team. It doesn’t matter what people say, let’s work together and get results together.

“At Spurs there was training personnel however he will exist. He understands whatever. If he’s not there, he’s taking a look at video and information. He understands whatever about the gamers on and off the pitch – the gamers will be seen.

“He is, in a positive way, a control freak because he says your body is your weapon and it needs to be ready to perform.”

Alderweireld states Pochettino’s primary need is physical fitness and running

“First of all he made us very fit. Pre-season was brutal.

“The method he wishes to play – on the front foot, putting individuals under pressure, a high line, really vibrant play – you require to run. You require to be efficient in running and can high strength runs – the standard is to be fit.

“Every manager wants a good pre-season and time to give the players their ideas and the fitness. But the players are going to feel straight away that it’s a different level.

“This is every day at the training school, it’s 100% – that’s what he asks, what he requires. It will be a huge distinction for the gamers and they’re visiting outcomes there quickly.

“In the Champions League semi-final, we were 3-0 down and he didn’t have a tactical half-time talk. He just said ‘you’re going to be physical, you’re going to fight, you only need one goal to be back in the game, believe that everything is possible’.

“That was a huge minute since we were no place near Ajax at that time, specifically because video game. We altered whatever by strength, by battles. I keep in mind the long ball to Llorente and simply combating and asking ‘how severely do you desire it?’ It altered from that minute.”