Mauricio Pochettino has responded to criticisms from Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner.
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Former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has hit back at Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner after criticism of how the United States national team has handled call-ups.
Pochettino, who is now head coach of the US national side, sympathised with Glasner but admitted that the 51-year-old does not understand the plight of international managers.
Glasner took issue with the use of Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards. The centre-back was used in last month’s friendly internationals against Ecuador and Argentina despite the Premier League club advising that he be rested.
Oliver Glasner frustrated by US international minutes for Crystal Palace star
Richards had been nursing an injury but played the full 90 minutes in both of those matches. At the time, Glasner said: “My only complaint is the U.S. team didn’t talk to us because Chris was struggling with his calf for many weeks. We talked to them and said he should rest as they were just friendlies. But they played him twice, every single minute. That’s a little bit disappointing. On the other side, we’ve tried to manage his minutes here."
The Crystal Palace defender was later sidelined for the Carabao Cup win over Liverpool at Anfield with a calf injury before returning for the 2-0 win over Brentford. Pochettino reflected on his experience both as a club and international manager when criticising Glasner’s comments.
He told talkSPORT: "It's difficult for the coaches, I think, because it happened to me in the past. When you are a head coach in a club, you are always egoist, you don't think about the national team or sometimes you believe that you have the right to say things that are not right.
“I think we managed very well the situation that you are asking me about Richards. We played him because he was ready to play and he didn't suffer any issue with that. I think it's the coaches in the clubs, they need to understand that the players want to play for the national team.
“We have only this window to prepare for the World Cup. These are not friendly games for me when you play for the national team. It's about playing for more things, not only playing a game because you defend your flag."
Ex Chelsea and Spurs boss ‘disappointed’ with Eagles manager
Pochettino spent five years managing at Tottenham Hotspur before a short spell at Chelsea. The Argentine mutually agreed to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the 2023/24 season before taking up the post with the United States in September 2024. The US face Paraguay and Uruguay in friendlies later this month.
Pochettino went on to say: “I think I feel disappointed with the words. I am very disappointed with Oliver because we always respect and we as the coaching staff respect the player and we respect the clubs. Our medical area is in contact with all the clubs that we have players at and always we will take the best decision for the player.
"That is not to risk and then thinking that the player needs to be fit and feel well to have the possibility to perform in the club that they belong to and also for the national team. I am disappointed, but in some points I understand. I understand that sometimes coaches can complain about the national team.
“We'll see one day if he's in my position to be a coach in the national team where he can understand this type of situation. But OK, it's not a big deal.”
In other news, Chelsea vs Wolves early injury news as 7 players ruled out and 2 doubts.