Mauricio Pochettino insists he is not bored of speculation linking him with Real Madrid or Manchester United by claiming it is better than reports suggesting he will be sacked as Tottenham boss.
Stories surfaced again this week that Real and United have made the 46-year-old their top target to resurrect their fortunes despite Pochettino signing a new five-year deal with Spurs in May.
Pochettino’s stock remains high after guiding Tottenham into the Champions League last 16 with a 1-1 draw at Barcelona on Tuesday night and when asked whether he had grown tired of rumours linking him with a move, he said: “No, no. Why? This type of news I think does not upset or bore people. I prefer that newspapers talk about things like this than talk about 'Tottenham is going to sack me' or 'people are tired of me' or 'we are in a difficult situation'.
“Of course, if I choose one situation I choose this one. I am not bored of it, of course.”
Spurs have confirmed another delay to the opening of their new stadium with the Manchester United match on January 13 now being played at Wembley but Pochettino expressed his desire to play the first leg of their Champions League knockout tie in February at their new home.
“I hope and I wish to play our first leg in the new stadium,” he said. “Now, I don’t know if it's going to be there or not or in Wembley. We need to wait. But my wish and hope is we can pay the first leg in our new stadium.
“I don’t believe it is going to be decisive to play in one or another stadium. The most important is our performance on the pitch. Of course, for the motivation, for our fans, of course for our players, our staff, it would be fantastic, a massive boost for us to play in our new stadium. But I think the motivation will be there too if we play Wembley, the same.”
In Pictures | Barcelona vs Tottenham | 11/12/2018
Serge Aurier, Kieran Trippier (both groin), Juan Foyth and Davinson Sanchez (both hamstring) face late fitness tests to be fit for Saturday’s Premier League home game against Burnley.
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