LONDON -- Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has warned that English football risks losing its culture by adopting a winter break.
The Football Association (FA), Premier League and English Football League (EFL) have reportedly reached an agreement for an annual two-week break in early February that would start the season after next.
The break will reportedly be staggered, with all top-flight clubs having a full 13 days off, in a move that will bring English football in line with other major European leagues.
Pochettino, whose team have won more points than any other in the second half of the last two seasons, said he would need more details of the plan.
"The Premier League is the Premier League because we are different to other leagues," he said. "To keep the same dynamic is so important. I don't know how it's going to work, this new situation. I think we need more information. We'll see.
"I think it will be different to the winter break that's in Spain, Italy, France, Germany. For me, it's cultural. In England you cannot stop playing on Boxing Day or at New Year or over the Christmas period.
"I think it's the most beautiful period in England to play football. But in Spain if you want to play in this period, the fans are not happy. But that is cultural.
"Maybe it's going to happen. Ok, we'll see how it's going to work. But I'm not sure if it's going to work well."
Asked whether the proposed break would help English clubs in Europe, he said: "I think the most difficult period is Christmas, it's not February.
"Of course it's tough, the Premier League. I'm not sure if that's the reason that, in the last few years, English teams cannot win the Champions League. But in football it's difficult to be sure about things."
The proposed plan would reportedly see FA Cup fifth-round replays scrapped, with the whole round taking place in midweek to accommodate the break.
Pochettino will be without Jan Vertonghen (ankle) and Toby Alderweireld (hamstring) for Spurs' fifth-round replay against Rochdale at Wembley on Wednesday.
"Jan yesterday had a scan and it was positive," the Argentine said. "We're happy because he feels much better. For tomorrow? Sure no, but maybe for the weekend. Toby we need to assess day by day."
The Spurs manager also said he had spoken to Dele Alli after the midfielder was again accused of diving in Sunday's 1-0 win at Crystal Palace.
"We have, every day, conversations and meetings about everything and of course after the game we have a short chat about this situation," he said.
"He's an amazing player with amazing personality and character and of course he is always in the focus, as was [Wayne] Rooney.
"But I am happy with him, not only him, all players need to improve in different areas, not only football, in these type of situations, be clever, don't be focus for these types of situations, be the focus for scoring great goals.
"He is an easy target for other fans as it's easy to complain about that or accuse Dele, but I respect all opinions and of course Dele is focused on trying to improve -- we are focused on trying to help him."