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'Very disappointed' - Mauricio Pochettino calls out Premier League boss in injury row

Mauricio Pochettino has hit back at Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner in a surprising club vs country row.

The USMNT boss reacted to comments from Glasner over the use of Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards in last month’s friendly internationals against Ecuador and Australia.

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner was left fuming by Pochettino's use of Richards who was carrying an injury

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner was left fuming by Pochettino's use of Richards who was carrying an injuryCredit: Getty

Glasner was left infuriated after Pochettino ignored the Premier League club’s advice to rest Richards for the two friendlies.

Richards, who was carrying a lingering injury, played the full 90 minutes in both fixtures causing Glasner to hit out at the ex-Tottenham and Chelsea boss.

What did Glasner say about Pochettino's use of Richards?

“My only complaint is the U.S. team didn’t talk to us because Chris was struggling with his calf for many weeks,” Glasner told reporters.

“We talked to them and said he should rest as they were just friendlies. But they played him twice, every single minute. That’s a little bit disappointing. On the other side, we’ve tried to manage his minutes here."

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Richards was later sidelined for Palace’s Carabao Cup win over Liverpool at Anfield with a calf injury but returned for Saturday’s 2-0 win over Brentford.

Pochettino, who has now tasted both sides of the club vs country divide, admits that he can see both perspectives when it comes to utilising players and prioritising their welfare.

"It's difficult for the coaches, I think, because it happened to me in the past,” Pochettino exclusively told talkSPORT.

“When you are a head coach in a club, you are always egoist, you don't think about the national team or sometimes you believe that you have the right to say things that are not right.

“I think we managed very well the situation that you are asking me about Richards. We played him because he was ready to play and he didn't suffer any issue with that.

“I think it's the coaches in the clubs, they need to understand that the players want to play for the national team.

Chris Richards played the entirety of the USA's double header in October

Chris Richards played the entirety of the USA's double header in OctoberCredit: Getty

Mauricio Pochettino during a talkSPORT interview

Pochettino says he was disappointed at Glasner's remarks and claims Richards was fit to play

“We have only this window to prepare for the World Cup," he added. "These are not friendly games for me when you play for the national team. It's about playing for more things, not only playing a game because you defend your flag."

Pochettino's disappointment

He added: “But I think I feel disappointed with the words. I am very disappointed with Oliver because we always respect and we as the coaching staff respect the player and we respect the clubs.

“Our medical area is in contact with all the clubs that we have players at and always we will take the best decision for the player.

"That is not to risk and then thinking that the player needs to be fit and feel well to have the possibility to perform in the club that they belong to and also for the national team.

“I am disappointed, but in some points I understand. I understand that sometimes coaches can complain about the national team.

“We'll see one day if he's in my position to be a coach in the national team where he can understand this type of situation. But OK, it's not a big deal.”

Palace weren’t the only club left seething after October’s international break.