Mauricio Pochettino has been rewarded for guiding Tottenham to their best season for more than 50 years with a two-year contract extension that ties him to the club until 2021.
Less than a week after the former Argentina defender was quoted as saying it was "part of my dreams" to return to Paris Saint-Germain – where he spent two seasons as a player – the news that Spurs have persuaded one of the world's most highly-rated managers to remain in north London is a significant coup for their chairman, Daniel Levy.
Pochettino, who originally signed a five-year contract with Tottenham when he joined from Southampton in 2014, had also been linked with a move to Manchester United over the past few months after taking Spurs to second place in the Premier League.
“It’s an easy decision,” he said. “When you are happy and when you feel the love of the people and the potential of the club is massive. Why change?
“I am very happy. We have created a great group of players, have a very strong squad, young with potential to be top. The staff, the supporters were unbelievable. The potential was massive. I think that it is a good moment to communicate this to you so that all people know my future is here.”
Pochettino confirmed he will sign the new contract in the coming days, with the club already believed to be planning for player recruitment this summer. The Marseille pair Michy Batshuayi and Samuel Umtiti have both been extensively scouted over the last few months, while the Lille playmaker Sofiane Boufal is also a target.
The project
Asked whether he had been given assurances that he will given money to spend, Pochettino said: “I believe in this project and club and the energy and history and I want to stay here for that.”
If leaders Leicester lose at Manchester United tomorrow, there is still a chance Spurs could cut the gap to just four points with two games to play, although that would require them to defeat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the league for the first time since 1990 when they meet on Monday night.
“The gap is seven points and it is nine points to play for,” he said. “ We need to believe they can drop points but we also need to win our games.
“Always belief in football is the most important word. We need to fight for the points to try and be alive and fight for the race to win the title.” Guardian Service
