Mauricio Pochettino says he is “very happy” at Tottenham amid reports linking with the vacant managerial post at Real Madrid.
The Spurs boss has been heavily linked with Madrid ever since Zinedine Zidane left the Bernabeu on Thursday after winning a third successive Champions League title with the La Liga giants.
Reports claim Pochettino is Madrid president Florentino Perez’s first choice candidate to take over from Zidane, although talk of a release clause in Pochettino’s new contract has been dismissed.
Pochettino signed a new five-year deal with Tottenham last month, and there had been suggestions it included a clause that would allow the Argentinian to speak with Madrid if they came calling.
It’s now been confirmed that isn’t the case, although it remains possible Pochettino will be tempted by Madrid.
However, the 46-year-old has been speaking during the launch of his book in Barcelona, where he revealed he is “very happy” at Spurs and confirmed there is no release clause in his contract.
According to football.london, Pochettino said: “The link now with Madrid is normal and I take it with all normality. I’m committed to Spurs and still have a long contract with them I just signed. I’m happy where I am, and to be here talking about this book.
“I am very happy to be at Tottenham. Let’s enjoy this moment now and in the future see what happens.”
That sounds very reassuring to me. As does this…
On Real link: “I take it naturally, it does not affect me at all, I am involved in a spectacular project where the motivation is tremendous. I renewed my contract recently for another five years, I am happy and I am happy that people at Tottenham are happy with me.”
— Tom Allnutt (@TomAllnuttAFP) June 1, 2018
Sky Sports News: yellow thread scrolling at the base of the screen been claiming all through the night up until 5am this morning “Real Madrid have approached Mauricio Pochettino to become their new manager”. The thread miraculously disappeared at aprox 5am when they verbally admitted that Madrid had Not made any approach whatsoever to M.P, simply fake news.
This Pochettino to Real Madrid will go on for weeks to come irrespective of Poch and THFC distancing themselves from the speculation. Rest assured the unofficial mouth piece for Real Madrid, Don Balon, will dream up all sorts of nonsense on behalf of their beloved Los Blancos. First it was Harry Kane allegedly trying to force through a transfer to Real Madrid which was proven to be a blatant lie as is the get out clause supposedly written into Pochettino’s contract later reduced to a gentleman’s agreement between himself and Levy. Next it was Hugo Lloris as their new goalkeeper now it Pochettino’s turn.
Can you imagine the hysterics at the end of next season should Spurs finally lift a major trophy under Pochettino’s guidance and Barcelona winning the league again or Champions league. Don Balon will go into meltdown as would our own press.
This latest nonsense will die a death but will undoubtedly raise its ugly head again next Summer.