Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino "excited" for "special" return to Tottenham Hotspur

Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has acknowledged that his return to Tottenham Hotspur on Monday evening will be a "special" moment.

Pochettino travels to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tasked with trying to guide his Chelsea side into the top half of the Premier League standings.

However, attention is currently on his return to a club who he turned into title challengers and guided to the the 2019 Champions League final, where they lost to Liverpool.

Less than six months later, Pochettino was sacked as Spurs boss, his reign coming to an end with 159 victories from 293 matches in charge in all competitions.

In the four years that have passed, Spurs have struggled to replace Pochettino, with the likes of Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo and Antonio Conte all enduring mixed spells in North London.

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Current incumbent Ange Postecoglou has instigated a remarkable upturn in fortunes, with Spurs currently top of the table and having not suffered defeat in 10 matches.

Although upsetting the early pacesetters is Pochettino's priority on Monday night, the Argentine has admitted that there is sentimental significance ahead of his first game against his former club, who have since moved into a new stadium.

Speaking to reporters, Pochettino said: "Yes, really special to go back after four years in a place where we have amazing memories and we create amazing memories together. I think it is special. I cannot lie.

"In the moment that we leave the club, I think it was a difficult situation, difficult moment. Now we have the opportunity to come back, to see many people that are still working there. It is a good chance for us and it is an exciting moment."

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Pochettino was also quizzed on whether he expects to receive a warm reception despite taking a job at one of Spurs' fierce rivals, but he turned down the opportunity to comment on his possible reaction from the home supporters.

He added: "I'm not going to say anything at the moment because until Monday we cannot guess. The most important is people know we cannot forget what we lived together.

"It won't change my emotions, my feelings about a club where we spent an unbelievable journey."

Chelsea head into the derby clash already sitting 14 points adrift of Spurs in the table, although they have collected seven points from their most recent away fixtures.