England captain Harry Kane has described Mauricio Pochettino as a “fantastic manager” as the Argentine approaches the Manchester United job
Pochettino has reportedly agreed terms to take over at Old Trafford with Michael Carrick likely to be sacked at the end of talks in Monaco today between the club’s minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.
Kane was a key part of Tottenham who finished second in the Premier League in 2017 under Pochettino and then reached the Champions League final two years later.
And the Bayern Munich striker, who will win his record 126th cap for England against Croatia at Wembley on Thursday, had nothing but positive things to say about his former manager.
“Me and Mauricio have a great relationship. I mentioned him as one of the managers who had a big impact on my career,” Kane said. “I needed his guidance. He pushed me on and off the pitch, which was really helpful.
“He’s a fantastic manager, he’s managed the biggest clubs in the world. From my point of view, I can’t speak highly enough of him. We’ll have to wait and see what happens, but I know he’s a great guy but also a fantastic manager.”
My dream is to win a major trophy with England – Kane
Kane is currently riding the crest of a wave after winning the 2026 Ballon d’Or following another brilliant year with Bayern and England.
However, it hasn’t always been that way with the 33-year-old facing the prospect of going his entire career without a major trophy before lifting the Bundesliga title in his second season in Germany.
He was a key member of the England team defeated in successive European Championship finals, by Italy in 2021 and by Spain in 2024.
“After any big loss, especially a final loss, emotions run high,” he added. “I don’t think I ever doubted that it would come. It was frustrating not to have come this far in my career. A lot of those moments you have to get over quickly.
“In recent seasons my game has been at the highest level, so that could be a factor in that.
“To win a team trophy with England, a major trophy, is my biggest dream. It’s always been my biggest dream to win a European Championship, a World Cup or hopefully both. I know how hard it is and I’m very motivated to do that. I’m surrounded by great teams both for club and country so I’m hoping it’s an exciting time.”
Kane is aware of Lankshear’s free-scoring
Kane is coming towards the end of his career, giving England a huge headache with no obvious successor.
Middlesbrough’s Will Lankshear has been mentioned as one to watch following his move from Spurs to Teesside in the summer and Kane said he was familiar with the 21-year-old, who has scored 13 goals in 13 Championship games this season.
He said: “I wouldn’t say I’ve followed his whole career, but obviously this season it’s been hard not to hear about him and he’s done really well at Middlesbrough. I spoke to a friend who coached him here at Tottenham (where today’s press conference took place) in the younger age groups who said he’s a goalscorer.
“He’s got that goalscoring instinct. He’s still early in his development. I think what he’s doing now is perfect for him, playing a lot of games, scoring goals, gaining confidence. Whether he comes into the (England) senior team is up to Thomas (Tuchel). It’s not the time to put too much pressure on him.”
“There’s a lot of talk about who’s going to replace me when I’m not here anymore. Let him do what he’s doing and I think it’s great for his development. He’s doing really well.”
“As time goes on I’m sure he’ll be on the right track to get his chance. If he makes the senior team it would be great to work with him and try to help him develop as a player.”
