‘It was not true’ – Mourinho denies Arsenal claim amid Pochettino reports

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has denied speaking to Arsenal about replacing Unai Emery last month.

Emery was sacked as Arsenal boss on Saturday in a move that has been talked up for the last few weeks. When the Spaniard’s job first came under threat last month, reports suggested Arsenal had spoken to Mourinho about the possibility of the Portuguese taking over at the Emirates.

Mourinho was appointed Spurs manager last week while Emery was still in a job at Arsenal. In his press conference ahead of Saturday’s Premier League meeting with Bournemouth, Mourinho was asked if he had met with the Gunners’ head of football Raul Sanllehi before taking over at Tottenham.

“No, no. Of course, I never denied – because I never deny things – but when it was written that I was in a meeting with Mr. Sanllehi, it was not true,” he said (via the London Evening Standard).

Meanwhile, the Athletic claims Arsenal would consider hiring outgoing Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino if the Argentine is interested in the post.

The appointment is said to be ‘unlikely’ after Pochettino’s past comments about never managing Barcelona or Arsenal – the rivals of Espanyol and Tottenham respectively – because of his affinity with the clubs he has been in charge of.

Spurs fans will be hoping Pochettino resists any approach from Arsenal so that his relationship with the club remains special.