Tottenham Hotspur risk losing manager Mauricio Pochettino, as European champions Real Madrid step up their pursuit of the Argentine
Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur face a huge battle to keep manager Mauricio Pochettino at the club, as European giants Real Madrid have made fresh overtures in trying to poach him, according to an exclusive report from the Daily Mail.
Real Madrid have endured a very difficult 2017/18 campaign so far, as they find themselves fourth in the La Liga standings, a whopping 19 points behind leaders and bitter rivals Barcelona. Earlier this week, they were also ousted from the Copa Del Rey by minnows Leganes as well.
The run of poor results has led to pressure mounting on the shoulders of Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane and the club are understood to be thinking of replacing the man who led them to consecutive UEFA Champions League glory and the La Liga title next season.
Real Madrid are believed to be keen on bringing in Pochettino as Zidane’s replacement and as per the report from Daily Mail, have established initial contact with the Tottenham manager’s representatives. The Galacticos are seemingly impressed by the Argentine’s footballing philosophy, the style of play that he deploys, but it will not be easy for them to pluck away the manager from North London.
Pochettino took over as the manager of Tottenham in the summer of 2014 and has taken the club to new heights. He almost led a youthful and exuberant team to the Premier League title in the last two years, only to falter towards the end of the campaigns.
Approach made? ?
Reports say Real Madrid are making a move for Mauricio Pochettino.
Gossip: https://t.co/jeheAA6rnK pic.twitter.com/vdHtLRIX7a
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 26, 2018
Pochettino has a contract that runs till the summer of 2021 and is held in very high regard at Tottenham. And club chairman Daniel Levy will fight tooth and nail to keep the former Southampton boss at the club, as they look to begin a new era when they move to their new stadium next season.
If Pochettino departs, Tottenham also risk losing a number of their star players, namely Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Hugo Lloris etc., considering that the players’ long-term futures at the club are understood to be tied in with that of their manager’s.
Asked earlier this week if he would rule out a move to Madrid, Pochettino said,”My commitment is massive in this club. I am working like I am going to be here forever. But in the end… you never know what is going to happen in football. Tomorrow Daniel Levy could have a bad night and say, ‘Oh I am going to sack Mauricio’.”
It is understood that Madrid will not look to bring in Pochettino midway through the season, but will wait till the summer to give him an opportunity to start afresh, with a large transfer budget. However, Tottenham are confident that their manager is happy at the club and will not look to force a move away when Los Blancos do come calling.
