Spurs will replace Paul Mitchell

Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur are actively looking to recruit a successor for their head of recruitment Paul Mitchell.

Mitchell joined Spurs in November 2014, following manager Mauricio Pochettino from Southampton.

During his time in north London, the 34-year-old helped bring the likes of England midfielder Dele Alli and Belgium defender Toby Alderweireld to White Hart Lane.

Mitchell remains in his post until a departure date is agreed but his exit comes as a blow to Spurs. He is part of a five-man transfer committee at Tottenham, also including Pochettino, chairman Daniel Levy, chief scout Ian Broomfield and former manager David Pleat.

“Paul Mitchell is still working for us, but it’s a normal process to find another person who can cope with his job in the future. It is true here at Tottenham, we need to replace him. The club believes that, not only me,” Pochettino told a news conference.

Pochettino also played down the chances of bringing in any new players during the January transfer window.

“In January it’s always difficult to find the right profile to help you. Always when you bring players from outside always there is not too much time for that player to settle in your club and your philosophy, for many reasons,” he said.

“It will be difficult to find the profile that can help us but the club is doing a very good job to extend contracts of key players. That is how we can show our real ambition and how the players show their commitment with us. That’s a bigger statement for the club, to show our ambition for the future.”