Mauricio Pochettino addresses reports linking him with Tottenham return
By Max Cooper
Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino has finally addressed the reports linking him with a return to Tottenham Hotspur at the end of the 2020/21 campaign, insisting that they were always only 'rumours'.
Spurs were on the lookout for a new coach following the sacking of Jose Mourinho in April 2021, and it was stated that Pochettino was unhappy in France, leading to suggestions he was ready to reunite with the north London club.
But while speaking to Le Parisien, Pochettino finally put to bed any 'rumours' linking him with a return to Spurs, stating that his position at PSG was 'always clear', and stressing that he maintains a 'calm, fluid relationship' with sporting director Leonardo.
"There were a lot of rumours," he said. "We all know what the reality of football is. There are moves between clubs, involving players and managers, so the rumours are always there.
"I’ve always maintained a calm, fluid relationship with the president and with Leonardo. Things were always clear, there was no reason to say anything more."
Pochettino was keen to insist that he was still happy with his decision to stay at PSG, praising their work in the summer transfer market.
"I think the club is doing a great job. We’re slowly reaching the objectives that we were looking for at the start of the window. So I’m happy with the work PSG is doing on the whole.
"A balance needs to be found between arrivals and departures. Like with all clubs, there will be some adjustments made over the course of the summer. We have to remain attentive to any opportunities."
The French giants have enjoyed a busy summer, signing the likes of Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sergio Ramos, Georginio Wijnaldum and Achraf Hakimi, as they build a squad that they hope will be able to finally lift the Champions League trophy.
Meanwhile, Spurs are settling into life under new coach Nuno Espirito Santo, after Daniel Levy landed on the Portuguese boss as the man to replace Mourinho.
Spurs were linked with moves for Antonio Conte, Gennaro Gattuso and Paulo Fonseca, but they eventually appointed Nuno at the end of June.