Mauricio Pochettino: I won’t fake nice guy act

Mauricio Pochettino has hit out at the Premier League’s “fake” managerial niceties, revealing he never called Claudio Ranieri to congratulate the Italian on Leicester’s improbable title drive.

Leicester edged out Spurs to claim their maiden top-flight crown last season, with Ranieri landing an elusive first career league triumph.

Pochettino insisted he had not snubbed Ranieri — instead refusing to indulge English traditions he feels would compromise his managerial integrity. Spurs’ Argentinian boss forced himself to watch Leicester’s title celebrations on TV the night Ranieri’s men sealed their triumph — then put both himself and his frustrations to bed.