Jose’s flops blow chance to top group

Spanish giants ready to go head-to-head with rivals United

TOTTENHAM are bracing themselves for a major battle to keep Mauricio Pochettino in the summer.

Manchester United and Real Madrid have both made him their No.1 target to become their next manager. And there is a growing fear at Spurs that this summer will be crunch time as Europe’s top clubs look towards the Argentine coach.

Pochettino (left) has made it clear he wants to lead the club into the new £1billion stadium – but that has not dampened the interest in him from Real and United.

Jose Mourinho is coming under increasing pressure at

Old Trafford and could go if the club miss out on a place in the top four and a lucrative Champions League spot.

Real Madrid are also keen on the Argentinian as they promoted Santiago Solari (inset) from within but there is a feeling he is just keeping the seat warm until they make a long-term appointment.

The lure of Real could be hard to turn down and, even though Pochettino signed a new five-year deal worth £8m last summer with no buy-out clause, Spurs know their manager is in demand.

Defender Danny Rose has also admitted he is not surprised by major clubs being keen on Pochettino.

Rose said: “It speaks volumes of how good he is. It’s no coincidence every day you read Real Madrid or United want him. It’s what he deserves.”