Tottenham are confident Mauricio Pochettino is committed to the club for the long term despite interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.
Pochettino’s impressive work this season – Spurs are fourth in the Premier League with one of the youngest teams in the division – has not gone unnoticed either at Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge.
Pochettino is now thought to be on Chelsea’s list to replace Guus Hiddink, who will leave at the end of the season when his interim role expires – although Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone and Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri are believed to be favoured by the Chelsea hierarchy, if they cannot persuade Pep Guardiola to turn down Manchester City and join them. Antonio Conte, the current Italy coach, is also admired along with Pochettino.
Yet Standard Sport understands Tottenham are relaxed about Pochettino’s future. He is two years into a five-year contract and even if he were attracted by another club, Spurs would demand a huge fee in compensation. Tottenham’s relations with both Chelsea and United in this respect are far from friendly, and Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is notoriously difficult to deal with.
What to expect from Tottenham before the transfer window shuts
Spurs also believe Pochettino is convinced he can fulfil his ambitions at White Hart Lane. The Argentine has an excellent relationship with academy manager John McDermott, who was recently courted by Manchester United, and recruitment chief Paul Mitchell followed Pochettino to north London from Southampton.
Although both Chelsea and United could offer a hefty financial package, Pochettino is believed to have performance-related clauses built into his contract that would see him pick up a substantial bonus should Spurs finish in the top four this season, or win a trophy. Furthermore, the 43-year-old has a mandate to shape Tottenham as he wishes – which would not be offered by Chelsea or United.
Spurs also know that their key players share a strong bond with Pochettino. Captain Hugo Lloris and top scorer Harry Kane, their most valuable players, have a close relationship with Pochettino. Both are happy at Spurs but have interest from major European clubs and their position might change were Pochettino to leave.
In 2005, Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy negotiated £5million compensation when Frank Arnesen quit as sporting director at White Hart Lane to take up a similar position at Chelsea. Six years later, Tottenham stood firm as Chelsea bid about £35m for Luka Modric, even though the playmaker had expressed a clear desire to move on. Chelsea never got their man as Modric was sold to Real Madrid the following summer.
