WEST HAM have emerged as surprise candidates to hire Mauricio Pochettino, according to reports.
The former Spurs boss is jobless after his five-year stint in North London ended, just five months after reaching the Champions League final.
Mauricio Pochettino has been spending time with Diego Maradona in Buenos Aires
Pochettino was sacked by Tottenham just five months after reaching the Champions League finalCredit: Reuters
Pochettino, 47, was hotly tipped to take over at Manchester United after being sacked at the same time as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was on a bad run of form.
But according to the Star, West Ham are also interested in the former Southampton boss.
Manuel Pellegrini is under enormous pressure at the London Stadium after winning just once in their last 11 games.
After beating Chelsea 1-0 at Stamford Bridge, the Hammers reverted back to losing ways, with defeats away to Wolves and at home to Arsenal.
Without European football — or the prospect of even a Europa League berth — West Ham would not be a top destination for Pochettino.
He has also been tipped as a potential replacement for Zinedine Zidane as Real Madrid boss, but the Frenchman is on a strong run of form in the Bernabeu dugout, with eight wins and two draws in their last ten games.
There have even been rumours linking Pochettino to an unlikely takeover at Arsenal, where Unai Emery was sacked last month.
Pochettino has been spending time with Diego Maradona in Argentina, after greeting the Gimnasia manager before watching a game in Buenos Aires.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
