Pochettino has a big decision ...United may look attractive, but Spurs have more potential

a successor to Sir Alex Ferguson, Klopp declined, citing a commitment to Borussia Dortmund for the following season.

Lovely, but rare, loyalty from a manger.

And now Klopp has a thrilling Anfield project in progress that he would not, for a millisecond, consider abandoning. Should Pochettino be any different? Spurs are a wide margin in front of United in the Premier League and have recorded an emphatic win at Old Trafford.

If they win at Goodison Park today, they will restore the deficit with Liverpool, who have made their best start to a season ever, to six points.

Tottenham have a better squad of players than United and their new stadium, when it eventually opens, will be fantastic.

Old Trafford is bigger in terms of capacity but, quite frankly, needs more than a lick of paint right now. Currently, United have the allure of being considered in that ultra-elite bracket of clubs like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and so on.

But things can change over time. There was an era when you would have slotted AC Milan into that category. I’m not sure you would right now. Managing an institution such as Manchester United is clearly one of the greatest honours for a coach.

That, along with the financial largesse coming with it, is why it would be no surprise if Pochettino wanted to fill a role that has spat out its previous three occupants in the space of little over five years.

Manchester United has history and financial strength going for it, but Spurs has potential. And better players.

The bottom line, of course, is that Pochettino will, no doubt, be tempted

NOT a competition goes by without FIFA introducing a new regulation or at least tweaking an old one. At Abu Dhabi’s World Club Cup, substituted players had to leave at the nearest point. If they were by the far corner flag, just pop off there. Shame. The disconsolate walk – perfected by Mesut Ozil – is part of the emotional journey of a match and gives a top barracking opportunity. The idea is to prevent time-wasting. It is, obviously, too difficult for the referee to press stop and start on his watch. when United come calling. Spurs, the bigger club, took Pochettino away from Southampton.

United, the bigger club, might take Pochettino away from Spurs.

It would be a big blow for Tottenham if that happened, but not the end of the world.

They have a collection of excellent players, a great fanbase and a state-ofthe-art home that they will finally get to move into.

Should Pochettino move on, there are plenty of good managers who are out there.

Look at the jobs being done by the likes of Eddie Howe and Chris Hughton.

Pochettino is doing a fine job at Spurs but as lucky as they are to have him, he is lucky to have them. They seem a perfect match. If he chooses to split that match and Spurs allow him to go without putting up a fight, one party is taking a mighty gamble.

And that party is Pochettino.

The bottom line, of course, is that Pochettino will be tempted