Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino reflects on his side’s surprise loss to Burnley and the post-match incident with referee Mike Dean.
Mauricio Pochettino has apologised to referee Mike Dean after confronting him at Burnley last Saturday and says he will learn from the experience.
Tottenham’s manager has been charged with improper conduct by the FA after marching onto the pitch and speaking angrily to the official after Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Turf Moor.
“I will accept that charge,” Pochettino told a news conference. “Watching after on the video, my behaviour, I think I need to accept the charge from the FA. I’m not going to ask [for a personal hearing].
“At the same time I need to apologise to Mike Dean. Right or wrong in the way that I wanted to complain, I cannot behave in that way. My behaviour was public and now I want to apologise in a public way too.
“Always I need to tell you I never lost control — I was under control — but of course in that moment the thing happened.
“I think it’s going to help me and I hope I don’t repeat this type of situation. It’s not going to help my team, my club, the job of the referees and of course myself. I think I’m a very smart person who cannot repeat the same mistake.
“I told you that for me it was the most important game to play, to put pressure on the opponents and the teams above us, and that’s why [it happened].
“I was so frustrated after the game, so disappointed with the result. I didn’t want to justify the defeat and complain with the referee. It’s only that when you start to talk, your heart-rate starts to push.”
Pochettino appeared to react to something that Dean said after an initial altercation, turning back to continue the spat, but he refused to divulge what was said.
“All that happened on the pitch I think must [stay] there,” he said. “For me it’s not important because I don’t take it personally. When you’re competing, when you’re on the pitch, when your heart-rate is so high, you need to be careful how you take the words.”
Dean was due to be the fourth official for Spurs’ next fixture at Chelsea on Wednesday, but he has been removed due to Saturday’s incident.
“I feel sorry for that because I wanted to see him tomorrow and apologise in person,” said Pochettino. “In my mind I still believe I’m right but in the way that I behaved, it’s not right. That’s the point.
“For me, he’s one of the best referees. For me, all the referees are really good and I never had a problem. I think I made bigger my problem in my head because for me it was one of the most important games to play, and the three points were so important to put pressure on our opponents.”
Tottenham continue to be without the injured Dele Alli, who scored twice when Spurs triumphed 3-1 on their last visit to Stamford Bridge last season.
“He’s doing well but we cannot say if he’s going to be available for the weekend, or for the next week or the games against Borussia Dortmund or Southampton,” said Pochettino. “It’s sure for tomorrow it’s impossible, and then we’ll see.”
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