Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has apologised to Rochdale for suggesting their pitch posed a “massive risk” to his players. Spurs travel to Spotland to face League One side Rochdale in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Sunday, five days after staging a dramatic 2-2 draw at Juventus in the first leg of Champions League round of 16.

Rochdale have relaid their playing surface at a cost of £500,000 after the previous version was deemed unfit to host tomorrow’s FA Cup fifth-round tie against Spurs. And after the League One club put in a new playing pitch, Pochettino is satisfied and raring to go with his players.

“I want to apologise to the people in Rochdale, the chairman, and the people who took my comment the wrong way” Pochettino was quoted by the Independent.

My comment was about the care, first of all for the Rochdale players, our players, and the competition that all of England watches on TV.

“After the replay against Newport, I was with my coaching staff and they showed me a picture from Rochdale’s pitch after their tie against Millwall and it was not in a great condition.

“I was conscious about the FA Cup, the football, and the image that we are going to sell, but the care for the players, too.

“Now, when I see the pictures and videos of the pitch on the Rochdale website, I need to congratulate them because the effort was massive to get it in the best condition to play without risk. Again, I apologise if someone took my words in the wrong way.”

The Tottenham manager, still on a high after the performance in Turin, also claimed FA Cup is not a major trophy.

“The draw with Juventus was massive. It was seen around the world because people watch the Champions League,” he added.

“It’s the best competition in the world. To win domestic cups would be fantastic for our fans but nothing really changes after that. Our fans were excited. Nearly 3,000 were there and that shows what they think about that competition.

“Our aim is to set a foundation that Spurs fans can enjoy for the rest of their lives. Three and a half years ago the club wasn’t in a position to compete in the best competitions.”

Winning the Champions League would be a dream come true but I think Poch should also take the FA Cup seriously and try to win it this season.