Mauricio Pochettino is adamant he sees his future in the Premier League.
Pochettino’s contract situation continues to dominate his weekly press conferences as the season comes towards a close, with the Saints manager having just one further year remaining on his current deal.
He also continues to be linked with big jobs across Europe on an almost daily basis, but wants to stay in England – though he admits “all possibilities are open”.
“Yes, yes, yes. I would like to be in the Premier League, it is the best league in the world, and I’d like to be here as long as I can,” he said yesterday.
The strongest link in recent days has been with Tottenham, who are reportedly set to ditch Tim Sherwood in the summer.
Even though Pochettino has twice lost to Sherwood’s Spurs in 2013/14, sources close to the north London club remain convinced he is still in the frame if Sherwood leaves.
“In football I am very much accustomed to living with these rumours,” he said.
“I have been living with and hearing these rumours all my life, firstly as a player and then as a manager,” reflected Pochettino.
“I am just calm. I am not reacting to these rumours.
“My job ahead is these last five games of the season with Southampton to try and get as many points as we can.
“I have already said I don’t talk about rumours.
“Tottenham still have a manager, I still have one more year on my contract.
“I don’t talk about rumours and I’m focussed on this job.” Pochettino, below, has repeatedly said that his situation will be discussed in the summer, but there has been no definitive statement as to the desired outcome.
“I said back in January that at the end of the season I will be speaking to the club. The possibilities are open,” he said when pushed on it again.
However, encouragingly for Saints fans, Pochettino is planning for the future anyway.
“Of course, because that’s my responsibility as a first team manager and of me and my staff,” he responded.
“I still have one more year on my contract and it’s my responsibility to look at the future and plan for the future."
When asked if agents of potential transfer targets, or his own players, ask about his position as they start to mull over their own futures, he commented: “I don’t really speak to any agents.
“The club already has a structure in place to deal with agents and speaking to agents. I don’t speak to agents.”
He continued: “What’s clear is that there are still five games left in the season and all players and staff are professional and under contract and we want to be professional about these last five games.
“The players are focussing on finishing the job as best as possible.”
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