Pochettino can't promise he'll be at Tottenham next season

Mauricio Pochettino plans to fulfil his Spurs contract, but he cannot guarantee that he will remain at the London club next term.

Published : Jan 30, 2019 12:41 IST

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
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Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino said he cannot "promise" he will still be at Tottenham next season, though the reported Manchester United target intends to see out his contract.

Tottenham manager Pochettino has been linked with Premier League rival United, as well as LaLiga giant Real Madrid.

Pochettino is believed to be the frontrunner to replace Jose Mourinho at United – where Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been appointed on a caretaker basis until the end of the season – in 2019-20.

READ| Pochettino fears Tottenham will make no signings before deadline day

The 46-year-old signed a five-year deal in May and while Pochettino plans to fulfil the contract, he could not guarantee that he will remain at Spurs next term.

"I can't promise that," Pochettino said when asked if he could promise he would be at the club next season, ahead of Wednesday's visit of Watford.

"It depends on the mood of my chairman, on the decision of the company, it's not only my decision.

"I signed for five years. I am respecting my contract. But to sign a five-year contract does not mean you'll be here forever."

Pochettino added: "I love my job and of course I love a big challenge. When I arrived at Tottenham, I knew very well the challenge would be tough.

"We are victims of our own success, the club was at a different level. I am a very positive person — I am going to stick with the club until the end to help the club achieve all they want."

'Dryer instead of a washing machine!'

Meanwhile, Pochettino said Spurs cannot buy stars like Liverpool and Manchester City in their ongoing efforts to challenge England and Europe's elite.

Tottenham did not sign a player before the season started and it is set to end another transfer window without reinforcements.

Pochettino insisted Tottenham has been forced to take a different approach when it comes to players, telling ESPN: "In the past couple of years, Liverpool have invested a lot of money.

READ| Cup talk is tough on me! - Pochettino launches passionate defence of Tottenham record

"Due to a number of circumstances, we've tried to produce young players with great futures such as Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Eric Dier, [Kieran] Trippier or Harry Winks.

"We are creating players. But in this case, Liverpool need a defender, they get [Virgil] van Dijk. They need a goalkeeper, who's the best? Alisson. It's the same as Manchester City.

"In the end, it's valid as Real Madrid and Barcelona do the same because they're on a different level.

"At the moment, Tottenham haven't reached that level, so when we can't buy a washing machine, we get a dryer that can do the same job. Instead of a sofa, we get a chair where you can also sit. That's the difference between Tottenham and the teams that are built to win."

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