Mauricio Pochettino tells Tottenham to improve squad to compete in Champions League

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has urged club officials to "improve the squad" ahead of next season in order to be ready to compete in the Champions League. The Argentinian boss, nevertheless, insisted that he feels the trust from chairman Daniel Levy as he proved earlier this week by committing his long-term future to White Hart Lane with a new deal until 2021.

Spurs enjoyed a relatively quiet transfer window during the last summer after they failed to lure Saido Berahino to the club to back-up Harry Kane. Yet, Pochettino has still managed to make the best out of signings like Toby Alderweireld, Dele Alli and other young talents to lead his side to an impressive campaign that could see them finishing ahead of Arsenal in the Premier League should they get a point against Newcastle in the final game of the campaign.

The top-four achievement has been impressive so far but some have still questioned whether Spurs would have been able to beat Leicester City for the title with a more in-depth squad. Pochettino is well aware of that and has admitted Spurs will need to bolster the current squad in the summer should they want to replicate the same form in an especially busy season with Champions League football.

"We have to improve our squad – this is very clear," Pochettino said, as quoted by Evening Standard. "We are all agreed about that. The Champions League is a different level, and to compete in that, the Premier League and the domestic cups is very important.

"You need a very good balance. Our challenge is to continue as we have done and the Champions League demands a lot of energy, more than the Europa League. It's a very different competition. For that we need to ensure we have a strong squad who can compete in all competitions."

The manager, nevertheless, believes that the future of the club looks bright. That is why he has decided to sign a new deal despite rumours linking him with a move to the likes of Manchester United.

"[The new deal] is very important for me. I feel the trust from the chairman Daniel Levy, as well as the players and supporters. I have a fantastic feeling for the future.

"It is important for me to be here for us to continue to develop our philosophy. Our project and our potential is massive and it is exciting to be here."