New-deal Noble is a Hammer to the end
FROM BACK PAGE
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 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. It will put Pochettino in the spotlight in the next few months and the way he guided Tottenham into the Champions League last 16 after masterminding an impressive result and performance in Barcelona will only strengthen his stock in Spain. 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.” MARK NOBLE has confirmed he will finish his career with West Ham by signing a new deal that ties him to the club until 2021.
The skipper, who came through the ranks at the Hammers, last night signed a one-year extension to his current contract.
Saturday’s game at Fulham will be the midfielder’s 447th competitive game for the club he has supported since he was a schoolboy.
Noble, 31, said: “It was an option in my contract that I signed a few years ago now, and it’s an extra year, which is fantastic for me and my family.
“I’ve been at this club all my life, so it takes me to the end of my career.
“I’ve always said I wanted to be at this club and I think we’re moving in the right direction, so it was the right time to do it.” A Hammers’ statement read: ”West Ham United are delighted to confirm that the club and Mark Noble have activated an option that will see the captain’s contract extended until 2021.”
Noble is planning to stay on at the London Stadium once he retires from playing and then take up a coaching role.
The Canning Town-born midfielder made his debut for the team as a 17-year-old in August 2004.
He added: “I hope that the club keeps moving in the right way and that, hopefully, I can be a part of that.
“I think there’s no better person than me at this club, who knows the morals and can ensure that the foundations are kept with the young players and staff members.”