CASH IS GOING TO BE KING IN POCH’S TOTTENHAM EMPIRE

MAURICIO Pochettino stands on the verge of something really special at Tottenham.

Progress under the Argentine over the past two seasons has been remarkable, with a third and now second-place finish.

Pochettino, 45, is regarded even at other clubs as the best young coach in English football and one of the best in Europe.

But there is still no trophy to show for all his success, and until that happens it may be difficult for a super club to appoint him.

That will not worry Spurs as they want Pochettino for the long term ahead of their move to the new stadium.

It is also vital that Pochettino keeps the upward momentum during next season’s temporary Wembley stay.

While Wembley has been an unhappy hunting ground for the club, fans believe anything is possible with Pochettino.

However there still remains the biggest concern of keeping the squad together.

Pochettino has an incredible bond with the players, he coaches them, develops them, they listen to him and respect him.

There will be the odd problem such as that with Kyle Walker (below), who has become disaffected after losing his place as the club’s undisputed first-choice right-back.

But it is money that will be the crux of the issue for Tottenham.

The players all want to stay with Pochettino, but contracts and the current wage structure could undo all that.

Chairman Daniel Levy is lauded for running a tight ship, and it may have to become even tighter, given the new stadium’s £800million price tag.

To sign big players this summer, they may have to sell, and Walker could be sacrificed to bring in another centrehalf or striker.

The England right-back signed a deal last year worth £55,000 a week and other big players like Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Toby Alderweireld know they can earn far more elsewhere.

Kane is on around £100,000 a week and yet if the England striker went elsewhere he could treble that.

Make no mistake, hanging on to the likes of Kane and Alli will be Tottenham’s biggest test.

Pochettino is building on great foundations, but unless the wages and pay structure change with the times then it could all come crashing down.