In an interview with Le Parisien, Nantes midfielder Moussa Sissoko (34) discussed the impact of the various coaches who have managed him across his career. The former Spurs midfielder revealed details about his coaches in the Premier League, Ligue 1 and internationally. Sissoko made the switch to his latest club Nantes for €2m from Watford in 2022.
Sissoko played for Watford, Newcastle and Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and experienced various philosophies and playing styles under different managers. The 34-year-old’s most successful spell in the Premier League came under the management of Mauricio Pochettino at Spurs, where they reached the Champions League final in 2019.
Pochettino – “The most important”
The former France international spoke about his time at Spurs and the influence of the current Chelsea manager, “My start at Spurs wasn’t easy. I often started on the bench… with no explanation, but with Pochettino it made no difference. Pochettino has no difference between starters and substitutes. He could, for example, during training, congratulate everyone or shout at them. I appreciated this equal treatment.”
The former Watford midfielder also added, “Thanks to him, I was able to work on myself, not give up to shake up the hierarchy. And, little by little, I succeeded. He encouraged perseverance. If I had to describe it with one word, it would be professionalism. If you give it your all, you’ll get your chance. Of all my coaches, it is with him that I learned the most technically, tactically, even mentally. I gave the best version of myself.”
Didier Deschamps – “A Great Gentleman”
Sissoko was also managed by Didier Deschamps at the international level for Les Bleus and was asked about the impact the World Cup-winning coach had on him as a player, “A great gentleman… He excels at managing a group. He is one of my best encounters in football. He trusted me. He doesn’t listen to what can be said right or left about a player. He has his convictions and sticks to them.”
The 34-year-old also added, “Sometimes my presence in his lists was greeted with a certain scepticism from the outside. He knew why he was calling me. He told me to be myself and to bring my qualities to the team. I think, on the ground, I justified this confidence. I send a big thank you to the man and the coach.”
GFFN | Liam Wraith
