MAURICIO POCHETTINO has not ruled out managing Tottenham’s arch-rivals Arsenal – and smiled when asked if he would take the Gunners job.
The Argentine – who once famously said he would rather become a farmer in his homeland than manage Arsenal – has been strongly linked with the vacancy at the Emirates.
Mauricio Pochettino has smiled at suggestions he would take the Arsenal jobCredit: Getty – Contributor
Spurs axed Pochettino last month but he has already indicated he wants to get back in the hot seat as soon as possible.
Despite his five-and-a-half years at White Hart Lane, Pochettino has emerged as one of the favourites to replace the axed Unai Emery at the other end of the Seven Sisters Road.
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TyC Sports spoke to Poch on holiday in Rosario – but he could not resist an Owen Farrell-style smirk when asked about the Arsenal job.
He said: “It’s important to have a moment of calm to lower the decibels and find the energy to take on a new project, and we’ll see where that is.
“I’m going to spend a few days here with my family and friends, and then I’ll return to London next week.”
The 47-year-old ex-Southampton and Espanyol manager has previously ruled out the main rivals of a team he has bossed.
He said in 2018: “I am never going to be manager of Barcelona or Arsenal because I am so identified with Tottenham and Espanyol. I grew up in Newell’s Old Boys and will never manage Rosario Central.
“That is my decision because I prefer to work on my farm in Argentina than in some places.”
Tottenham chief Daniel Levy pulled the plug on Poch’s reign with the side labouring in 14th in the Premier League, bringing in Jose Mourinho.
Pochettino has been linked with Arsenal, Manchester United and Bayern Munich.
The Gunners’ bid to replace Emery moved up a notch with interim boss Freddie Ljungberg clearly out of his depth in the top flight.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
