Mauricio Pochettino has insisted his future remains at Tottenham, clearing up comments he made after last weekend’s FA Cup semi-final defeat against Manchester United.
The Spurs boss was asked what Spurs must do to win silverware after their eighth successive loss at the semi-final stage of the FA Cup, the longest such run in the history of the competition.
Pochettino told reporters that the manner of Tottenham’s project will not change under him “or another” manager, leading to the suggestions his future lays away from north London.
However, in a press conference on Friday, the Argentinian cleared up any doubts about his commitment to the club, insisting he will be Spurs manager for the long term.
“It was not a message I was sending to someone, I was only explaining in the context of the question that the project is so strong [and] we believe in this project,” said Pochettino (via Sky Sports).
“The club cannot behave like different clubs and I think the club needs to keep going with the project, keep pushing in this direction, trying to achieve all the things that the club want.
“But it was not a message for someone. It was what I felt and I told you how I feel.
“I am working, and I work, in every single project at every single club like I am going to be here for life. The only thing I wanted to translate is that the club is in the right way, that we cannot compare, that we need time to win.
“After three or four years now we are able to compete with clubs like United, City, Chelsea or Liverpool but there is still a lot of work to do.
“I think it is an exciting project at Tottenham, different to other clubs, but I still have a three-year contract and then obviously there is a decision. I always say football is the present and then the decision comes from the owner of the club, my boss, Daniel, to trust or not trust in myself.”
Having dropped points against Manchester City and Brighton in recent weeks, Tottenham will be in search of their first Premier League win since the 2-1 victory at Stoke City earlier this month when they face Watford on Monday.
Before that, Chelsea have the chance to move within two points of Spurs if they beat Swansea City on Saturday.
