No contact from Spurs: Pochettino

20 December 2013 09:46

Tottenham have made no contact with Mauricio Pochettino about their vacant manager's job, the Southampton boss has confirmed.

Southampton host managerless Spurs in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday, seeking their first win in six games.

Saints' Argentinian manager had been widely touted as a potential replacement for Andre Villas-Boas at White Hart Lane.

But the 41-year-old boss confirmed no-one from Tottenham has been in touch.

Pochettino is happy where he is, especially with the backing of chairman Nicola Cortese.

"As a manager what's really important is that the sporting aspect is under my control, in terms of signings," Pochettino said.

"Without my agreement no signings go through, and those two basic things are very important for any manager."

Tottenham sacked manager Villas-Boas in the wake of last weekend's humiliating 5-0 home league defeat to Liverpool.

Former Spurs midfielder Tim Sherwood will take charge of Sunday's Southampton clash, but chairman Daniel Levy is still seeking a full-time appointment.

Pochettino admitted it is always tough to see a peer lose their job.

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."

Pochettino is happy with his Southampton squad, and does not expect much transfer activity at the club in the January window.

Laughing off rumours linking England striker Rickie Lambert with a move to West Ham, he 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.

"Our younger players are getting a feel for what it means to be in this side, it gives us important balance, and we're really happy with their contribution.

"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."

Source: PA