Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has had to play politics on plenty of occasions since his arrival in north London, and it may be that he has been taking his inspiration from Netflix drama House of Cards.
The Spurs manager has had to deal with plenty of ups and downs already this season, with his side on the verge of elimination from the Champions League while having also recorded their best ever start to a Premier League campaign.
This all comes off the back of the club failing to sign any players during the summer transfer window while the backdrop of continued delays to the new White Hart Lane stadium continue to concern supporters.
Pochettino admitted ahead of his side's defeat to Manchester City that he has never felt worse during his five years at Tottenham, and with the Real Madrid manager's post still vacant, some observers believe he is laying the groundwork to depart the club despite having only signed a new five-year contract in June.
But the Argentine's mood does seem to have lifted following his team's win over Wolves on Saturday, though the result at Molineux might not have as much to do with it as the return of Pochettino's favourite White House-based series.
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Speaking ahead of Tuesday's must-win clash with PSV, he said: "It’s a weird season because I’m so happy now because I’ve started the new series of House of Cards.
"I watched three episodes. I learn a lot. It’s similar. It represents very well how we are. Sometimes football is so political."
It is not the first time Pochettino has looked to use external distractions in his press conferences this season, with the former Southampton boss notably more jovial with reporters than he had perhaps been previously.
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In September he likened his side's experience of top-level European football to that of a cow watching a train ahead of their Champions League opener against Inter.
Meanwhile on Friday he laughed off concerns regarding his side's late kick-off against Wolves, instead suggesting that the only one who would be upset would be his dog, Sansa.
He has also not been afraid to voice his own political opinions, claiming earlier this season that Brexit was turning into a "car crash" as the United Kingdom edged towards leaving the European Union.
House of Cards has now entered its sixth and final season on Netflix - the first without Kevin Spacey following his sacking amid sexual misconduct allegations against the Hollywood star.
Robin Wright has taken up the mantle of the lead in the Emmy and Golden Globe winning show in her role as Claire Underwood.
