Arsenal Manager, Mikel Arteta, has revealed on Friday how current Chelsea manager, Mauricio Pochettino, advised him not to go into coaching.
Arteta staged this as his prepares his team for Saturday’s clash against Chelsea.
During his press match conference, Arteta said, “It was my first professional opportunity in Paris and we arrived together at the same time,” said the Spaniard, who was on loan at the club from Barcelona. “We lived together in a hotel for three months.
“He was critical. He’s been one of the most influential people in my football career, first of all as a player. He took me under his arm.
“He looked after me like a little child, like a little brother, and he was a big part of the success I had in Paris because he really looked after me, gave me a lot of confidence and advice.
“He has been a role model for me since that day, not only when I was a player but as a manager as well because I had to make a decision to leave playing and start my coaching career.
“He had a big say in that and I will always be grateful for what he has done for me.”
Over two decades ago, these two men were teammates at Paris-Saint Germain during the initial phases of Arteta’s career.
Arteta, also revealed that Pochettino, who has previously managed Tottenham and PSG, told him not to go into coaching.
He said the Argentine, who is 10 years older than him, told him: “‘Don’t go into coaching. It’s too hard’.”
“I knew he was going to be a coach,” he added. “I followed him very closely. As a player he was already a leader — the way he understood the game, he was phenomenal. I used to have him in my back and he was constantly coaching me.”
However, when Arsenal aims for the top spot in the Premier League, and Chelsea seeks to maintain their recent resurgence, they’ll find themselves on opposing sides at Stamford Bridge this Saturday.
