Mauricio Pochettino has signed a new five-year contract at Tottenham.
It ends speculation over his future at the club – there were reports suggesting Chelsea were keen to appoint the Argentine as a replacement for Antonio Conte.
Here are five things which the manager now needs to tackle to take Spurs to the next level.
Win something
Failure to get a shot at the FA Cup final left many Spurs fans wondering just when Pochettino’s men will deliver some silverware. Another sustained assault on the Premier League title looks a long way off, as does the Champions League. However, both the domestic knockout competitions next season should be well within reach – and while much derived, the Carabao Cup might not be a bad place to start. Just ask Jose Mourinho.
Keep hold of Harry Kane
The newly-appointed England captain could well see his stock rise with a strong showing at the World Cup this summer. Europe’s leading sides, of course, already know what Kane can do – and making sure the club keep up with the ambitions of their talisman will be key to Pochettino’s hopes of progression.
There’s no place like (a new) home
Spurs are set to take centre stage in the Northumberland Development Project next season, their new state-of-the-art stadium just a stone’s throw from White Hart Lane. It will boast impressive numbers, with a 62,062 capacity, the biggest in London, while one stand will hold some 17,500 supporters. All the trimmings are set to be mightily impressive, enough to take in regular-season NFL games, but getting things right on the football pitch is crucial if Pochettino is to, in his own words, “achieve the success this club deserves”.
Keep ahead of the neighbours
Tottenham’s rise in recent seasons has seen them finally shift the power balance in north London as Arsenal faded out of top-four contention. However, with new head coach Unai Emery installed at the Emirates Stadium, Pochettino will have to make sure he continues that dominance. The duo went head-to-head as managers in LaLiga, and while both will have learned a thing or two since those days, the heat of battle in a derby represents a whole different ball game.
Improve travel sickness at the top four
Despite Spurs improving their final finishing position in recent seasons, their results away against direct top-four rivals have been far from impressive. The last campaign saw a first victory at Stamford Bridge since 1990, while Manchester United and Liverpool were both beaten at Wembley. However, Pochettino saw his side outclassed at home and away by champions Manchester City, lose at Old Trafford, while only salvaging a 2-2 draw at Anfield through a stoppage-time penalty from Kane. If Spurs are to emerge as genuine challengers for top spot, then Pochettino needs to get his men consistent results from those key games on the road.