Mauricio Pochettino has addressed fresh speculation over his future as Tottenham Hotspur close in on appointing Roberto De Zerbi.
Tottenham Hotspur are now close to confirming the appointment of Roberto De Zerbi, with an announcement expected later this week.
De Zerbi is set to become one of the highest-paid managers in the Premier League, as Spurs had to splash the cash to land their preferred option, who needed some convincing.
Reports suggest Tottenham have proposed a five-year contract to the former Brighton manager, although it includes substantial relegation clauses should Spurs fail to retain their Premier League status.
Tottenham links addressed by Mauricio Pochettino amid Real Madrid talk
With Roberto De Zerbi expected to become the third managerial appointment for Spurs this season, speculation involving other managers who were linked with the Tottenham job is now expected to stop.
Mauricio Pochettino was once one of Spurs’ preferred managerial targets, but landing the Argentine was far more complicated given his commitment to the USA.
Pochettino has now addressed recent reports linking him to both Tottenham and Real Madrid, making his current stance clear while focusing on his role with the national team.
He said: “No talks. We are very very focused here on the World Cup. Everyone knows that I have a commitment with the national team here. It’s not the point to talk about the future.
“No one approached me. But who knows what is going to happen. And by the way, we are open [to staying with the USMNT], why not if the federation is happy?”
Spurs move away from Mauricio Pochettino return
There had long been talks that Spurs were eyeing a second spell with Mauricio Pochettino in the summer, when his deal with the United States is expected to end.
Fans of the Lilywhites were also on board with such plans, with many Tottenham supporters believing that Pochettino was the right man for the Spurs job.
However, any such reunion is now very unlikely to happen anytime soon, with De Zerbi set to come in and take charge for the foreseeable future.
It is understood that Tottenham are looking to back the former Brighton man, as talks of his appointment included future squad-building efforts.