Pochettino: No time for a Fergie chat
TOTTENHAM manager Mauricio Pochettino says he still exchanges texts with Sir Alex Ferguson but won’t be speaking to the Scot ahead of today’s game at Manchester United.
Pochettino prompted speculation about his future when he met Ferguson for lunch in London last summer while in negotiations over a new contract at Spurs.
United had reportedly included Pochettino on their shortlist of potential replacements for Louis van Gaal but the club chose Jose Mourinho to take over and Pochettino signed a new five-yeardeal at White Hart Lane.
Ferguson remains a friend and mentor and the Argentinian admits they keep in touch.
“No, I will not speak with him before the game,” Pochettino said.
“My relationship with him was last season and we cross some texts but my expectation is not to talk with him before the game.”
United will fall nine points behind Tottenham in the table if they lose at Old Trafford.
It has been a disappointing start to the campaign for a club that spent more than £150 million on players in the summer while Spurs forked out less than half that amount.
There remains a large gap between the commercial muscle of each club but Pochettino believes Tottenham are moving in the right direction.
“We are doing a big effort to reduce that gap on the pitch,” Pochettino said.
“Our board are working hard to reduce the gap by building a new stadium, new facilities, in the next few years.
“Tottenham are showing their ambition to be one of the biggest in Europe.”
United are expected to splash the cash again in January while Tottenham are unlikely to complete much business as the club are wary of bringing in players mid-season.
Pochettino says signing key players up to new contracts is a more positive indication of progress.
“That is how we can show our real ambition and how the players show their commitment with us,” he added.