Mauricio Pochettino Calm Over Tottenham Hotspur Rumours
Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino has brushed off rumours suggesting he is a candidate to take over from Tim Sherwood at Tottenham Hotspur, but admits there has been no progress over a new deal at St Mary's.
The Spaniard has been a revelation on the south cast since replacing Nigel Atkins in January 2013 but changes within the club and the possibility of a vacancy at White Hart Lane have seen him linked with an exit.
The departure of former chairman Nicola Cortese at the beginning of the year briefly raised questions over Pochettino's future at the Saints, concerns which were swiftly dismissed by the 42-year-old coach.
Following the appointment of Cortese's replacement Ralph Krueger, talks over a new contract have stalled but the Southampton boss remains unperturbed by speculation surrounding his future.
"Regarding any negotiations there's no change from last week," Pochettino told reporters on Friday.
"I don't really like to talk about rumours. And when anything happens, yes or no or whatever happens there will be public statement made.
"(The Tottenham links) are really nothing to manage. Rumours are perfectly normal in football and we're completely fine with the rumours hanging around. I don't really have anything to comment regarding that.
"When I was Espanyol I was rumoured to be linked with other clubs. Nothing ever came of these rumours and now the same thing is happening at Southampton. So it's nothing that really phases me in any way."
Sherwood, who was appointed head coach at Tottenham on an 18 month contract in December, has maintained that he will be in charge beyond this season.
But with the north London side seven points off a Champions League spot having played three more games than fourth placed Manchester City, his future remains in doubt.
Louis Van Gaal, who will become a free agent when he leaves the Dutch national team after the World Cup, has expressed an interest in managing a Premier League side, while Ajax manager Frank de Boer remains in the running for the job at White Hart Lane.
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