Mauricio and Son triumph at London Football Awards

Mauricio Pochettino and Heung-Min Son have been recognised with honours at this year’s London Football Awards.

Mauricio has been named Manager of the Year for 2018/19, while Son scooped the Premier League Player of the Year prize.

The pair joined a Club delegation at a high-profile ceremony at Battersea Evolution on Thursday evening, where they collected their awards in person.

Son, who has scored 16 goals so far this term, was pictured with Spurs legend David Ginola after collecting his trophy.

“It means a lot,” smiled the South Korean international. “For me, it’s special, my first award (of this kind). Many players have not won this trophy so for me it’s really, really special, especially because such big names have won this award (in the past). It means a lot and I’m very happy to win.”

Mauricio saw off competition from Chelsea’s Maurizio Sarri, Charlton Athletic’s Lee Bowyer, Joe Montemurro of Arsenal Ladies and Javi Gracia of Watford to claim his award while Son pipped Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, our former Academy graduate and current Crystal Palace star Andros Townsend, plus our own Harry Kane to the Premier League Player of the Year crown. Harry won the same award last year.

Spurs Ladies striker Rianna Dean was also in attendance, having been shortlisted for Women’s Player of the Year.

Independently judged by key figures across the game in the capital in addition to members of the media, the London Football Awards celebrate the very best of football in London each year.

Funds raised at Thursday’s ceremony will benefit the Willow Foundation, the well-known national charity which provides uplifting special days for seriously ill 16- to 40-year-olds.

“I am so happy,” said Mauricio after collecting his award and posing for a photo with Spurs legend and fellow former Argentina international Ossie Ardiles. “For me, it’s a great honour and I know that it means a lot. I want to say thank you to the Willow Foundation, Bob and Megs (Wilson, Willow founders) and I think it’s so important and I am so proud to be here and share this type of event together with a lot of legends and some amazing people.”

On fellow award winner Son, Mauricio added: “I think it’s fantastic. He is doing a fantastic job, he is having an amazing season and we feel so proud. I feel so proud of all my squad, of course, but in that case, Sonny won the award, Premier League Player of the Year, and I am so happy for him because he deserves it.”