Pochettino Describes the Difficult Period After Dani Jarque's Death

Mauricio Pochettino has shared the most difficult experience of his life. The Argentine head coach said the tragedy that took place shortly after he took charge of Espanyol was the most difficult period of his life.

Pochettino recalled that in August 2009, during a pre-season trip to Florence, 26-year-old defender Dani Jarque suffered a heart attack and died. Jarque was speaking on the phone with his pregnant girlfriend from his hotel room when the incident occurred. Pochettino said he was one of the last people to see Jarque alive. While the team was having lunch at the hotel in Coverciano, the players had been granted permission to explore the city that afternoon.

According to Pochettino, Jarque said during lunch that he had a slight headache and would not go out. The hotel doctor gave him paracetamol and then left. Pochettino stressed that what happened deeply affected the entire squad.