Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino distances himself from Tottenham job

 
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Alex Kalinauckas20 December 2013

Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino says he has received no contact from Tottenham, despite speculation linking him to the vacant managerial post at Spurs.

The North London club sacked Andre Villas-Boas following last Sunday’s 5 – 0 home defeat to Liverpool and will play Southampton this Sunday, seeking their first win in six games.

Pochettino, 41, admitted that is always hard to see a fellow manager get fired.

He said: “I’m always very respectful with decisions that people make at other clubs. It’s clear that it’s never a good thing when a colleague is sacked.

“I would like to wish Andre Villas-Boas all the best in the future, these things can happen in football. That’s the bitter side of this game that no one wants but can still happen.”

Former Spurs player, Tim Sherwood, will remain temporarily in charge for this weekend’s match, but Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy is seeking a full-time replacement.

However, Pochettino insists he is happy to remain at Southampton where he has the backing of chairman Nicola Cortese.

He said: “As a manager what’s really important is that the sporting aspect is under my control, in terms of signings. Without my agreement no signings go through, and those two basic things are very important for any manager.”  

The Saints' Argentinian manager also dismissed speculation linking England striker Rickie Lambert, with a January transfer to West Ham.

Pochettino said: “We are not really concerned with the January transfer window, we are really happy with the young players who are part of this team.

He added: “Rumours do exist, apparently this season we have rumours from the President to the kit man. We don’t know where these come from.

“So we need to be fully focused on our work and fully aware that it’s full of rumours.”

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