5 Premier League managers who were ridiculed for their appointment, but turned out successful

4) Mauricio Pochettino: Southampton

Many were unhappy when Mauricio Pochettino took over at Southampton

“With due respect to Pochettino, what does he know about our game? What does he know about the Premier League? What does he know about the dressing room, does he speak English?” – Lawrie McMenemy

The former Southampton boss and vice-president of the League Managers' Association did not hold back when Nigel Adkins was controversially sacked midway through the season. It was a decision that did not sit well as Adkins had seen the Saints get promoted to the Premier League.

A foreign manager coming in to take over after all the hard work by Adkins was akin to blasphemy for a number of former managers and “experts”. But the Saints were not improving and former executive chairman Nicola Cortese had a decision to make.

But Pochettino was no gamble. The Argentine manager, influenced by the legendary Marcelo Bielsa, had made a name for himself at La Liga club Espanyol. Barcelona’s derby rivals were all set to be relegated when he took over and turned around the club’s fortunes. A first win over Barcelona in 27 years followed by a 10th-placed finish established his credentials thanks to an incredible run of eight wins in the final 10 games.

Southampton are known as a selling club – as were Espanyol. Yet, Pochettino kept them competitive and was the most successful manager against Guardiola’s Barcelona. Taking over the Saints when they came calling was the next logical step in his career and he transformed the Saints a hungry pack of wolves as the side covered the most distance in 2013/14 in the league.

The Spurs are also built in the same image and he has improved the club so much that they have now been in the title race in two consecutive seasons – not bad for a club that has not won a league title since 1961.