MAURICIO POCHETTINO says he is ready to return to management.
The Argentine, 48, has been out of the game since being sacked by Tottenham almost a year ago.
He has been linked with Real Madrid, Manchester United and Zenit St Petersburg.
And Pochettino revealed: “I always feel ready to get back involved in the game. I love football, it’s my job.
“It’s not a stress when you are working, it’s not a stress to go into the training ground, it’s not a stress to prepare the game, it’s not a stress to compete.
“My hair is long, look. I hope to cut it when we start working again to work.
“I am looking forward again to being involved in the game.”
Former Espanyol chief Pochettino joined Spurs from Southampton in May 2014.
He spent five-and-a-half years in charge of the North Londoners, guiding them to four successive Premier League top-four finishes.
Poch also led Spurs to their first ever Champions League final in 2019 when they lost 2-0 to Liverpool in Madrid.
Pochettino revealed he wants to return to football on Sky Sports on MondayCredit: Sky Sports
Tottenham replaced him with Jose Mourinho last November following a poor start to the season.
Pochettino was a pundit on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football – covering Leicester’s trip to Leeds.
He said: “We are inside, we are working and we are doing other things.
“But it’s not the same as being involved every single day and to share with your players and your staff.
“Always of course you miss that. That is the reality.”
Asked if he would ideally like his next job to be in the Premier League, he said: “I don’t know. I am not going to close any door.
“I learnt when I really really young that football will dictate the way.
“I am waiting to feel which is the right project for us to take.
“We are living in a very crazy life at the moment and all is completely different, not just in football.
“My energy is full and I would love to be involved in the game.
“But at the same time I need to understand it’s not a good moment and you need to wait for the right project.
“For sure football will bring what football wants and I will be open to everything.”
Pochettino also defended his decision to start Harry Kane in the Champions League final – even though the striker had been out for a while with injury.
The decision backfired as Spurs lost and a lacklustre Kane looked a shadow of his old self.
Poch said: “The decision is the decision and you could not go back.
“If you put in the same situation I would make the same decision again.
“You cannot doubt Harry Kane. He is one of the best players and in the Premier League and maybe even Europe, and when he is fit you cannot have doubts about playing him.”
Poch defended his decision to start Harry Kane in the Champions League final – and insisted he would do the same againCredit: Getty – Contributor
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
