NO REAL MADRID CLAUSE IN POCHETTINO'S SPURS CONTRACT
TOTTENHAM manager Mauricio Pochettino's new contract does not contain a clause allowing him to leave for Real Madrid. The 46-year-old Argentine, who signed a five year extension with the Premier League side last week, is the early favourite to replace Zinedine Zidane.
Zidane stepped down on Thursday after leading Real to a third consecutive Champions League title.
Pochettino is not believed to have agreed anything in writing or verbally with Spurs about joining Real.
The former Southampton boss is in Barcelona for the launch of his new book and said he was "happy" in north London.
In comments to Madrid-based newspaper Marca about being linked with Real, he added: "I take it naturally, it does not affect me at all. I renewed recently for five years. I am very happy with my current team, I enjoy the day to day, I am happy, but you never know what can happen."
Pochettino took over at Spurs in May 2014, and led to them fifth, third, second and third in his four seasons in charge. Germany :orld &up winning coach Joachim Low, who last month signed a contract extension until 2022, has ruled himself out of contention to succeed Zidane. A number of names are being circulated as potential replacements for Zidane, with the most heavily touted candidate being Pochettino.
It is believed the Tottenham boss would be president Florentino Perez's first option. He has admired Pochettino since his time in La Liga in charge of Espanyol, a club with whom Real have friendly relations, and he was greatly impressed with the London side’s performances when they went head to head in the Champions League this season.