Football
9y

Danny Rose: Training under Mauricio Pochettino worth the 'suffering'

Danny Rose says Mauricio Pochettino may make his Tottenham players "suffer" in training but the hard work is improving them as a team.

Pochettino, who was appointed Spurs head coach in the summer, is known for putting his sides through their paces on the training pitch.

And Rose, whose form earlier this season was rewarded with a call-up to the England squad, feels the Argentine's methods have improved him as a player.

"Mauricio Pochettino has been brilliant for me, I have nothing but nice things to say about him," Rose told the Evening Standard. "I met the manager before preseason and he said if I trusted him he would make me a far better player and get me into the England squad.

"But I've had to work hard to get there. I remember an interview he did when he first took over saying players have to suffer in training to enjoy games. Seriously, he wasn't joking either. We do have to work hard in training and I do suffer but it's an enjoyable kind of suffering because I'm benefitting so much. I'm far more tactically aware and more consistent."

Rose's growing importance to the club was shown when he was rewarded with a new five-year contract in the summer.

But the full-back has revealed he received a call from chairman Daniel Levy, who was keen to see if he was ready to make the step up to the next level before signing the deal.

"He wanted to know that I was committed and ready to fight for the club and fight for the cause before I signed it," Rose said.

"I like to think people can see how committed I am and how determined I am to be a success. It has not been easy. There were doubts and going into this season I did wonder whether I would be playing.

"But I'm not complacent and I'm always striving to improve. I can't take anything for granted, I know I'm only one bad game from losing my place with strong competition here."

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