Mauricio Pochettino has laid down the challenge to his Tottenham players that the next step in their development is to win a trophy.
A 1-0 win over Newcastle on Wednesday night secured a third successive season of Champions League football as Chelsea failed to beat Huddersfield at Stamford Bridge.
The lack of silverware is a criticism which has been thrown at this Tottenham side time and again, but another top four finish cannot be sniffed at given they have, effectively, been playing away from home all season long.
However, with a new stadium on the horizon, Pochettino is conscious that a trophy must come sooner rather than later.
In Pictures | Tottenham vs Newcastle | 09/05/2018
“The first step is always to be competitive, reduce the gap with the top four,” the Argentine said. “That was the challenge four years ago. Now after 23 years in the Premier League this is the first time Tottenham are above all the London clubs.
“Then next is to win a trophy. But you need to build. We are not in a club that win a lot in last years. To create a winning mentality is to build step by step and then to be competitive with the big sides.
“Today I am thinking to try to enjoy what we achieve. Tomorrow who knows.”
The new stadium at White Hart Lane is looking more complete by the day, however, much like this season Pochettino’s side will need to adjust to new surroundings.
It is something that is not lost on the Spurs manager, and he made it clear they will need time.
“For the club it is a massive thing to go and move to the new stadium and play Champions League,” he added. “It will be another challenge, another massive challenge because it will be the same as it was to play at Wembley.
“Because, yes will be a fantastic stadium but you need to make the new stadium your home, like [it] was with Wembley.
“You will need time, to let that happen, sure we in this club now, and these players and staff have the experience to build and create in a new building, to feel like home. Of course that experience will help the club and the team and the staff, of course.”
