Mauricio Pochettino wants Real Madrid job but Tottenham stand firm | OneFootball

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has indicated he would be prepared to swap north London for Madrid this summer.

The Argentine signed a new five-year contract just a fortnight ago but refused to rule himself out of the running to replace Zinedine Zidane on Friday.

Pochettino is Real Madrid’s preferred choice for the job and the Sunday Times say president Florentino Pérez has spent recent months laying the groundwork to bring him to the Bernabéu.

The report even goes on to say Pérez and Pochettino – who is keen on the role – have met to discuss squad building.

However, a move this summer is unlikely with Tottenham unprepared to let Pochettino go.

Speaking on Saturday, Spanish journalist Guillem Balague said Real Madrid have given up their pursuit.

“Real could see there was so many positives in signing him, not just the fact he can deal with the stars but how he improves players and how he works with youth players as well,” said Balague, who  co-wrote Pochettino’s book.

“But what they had in front of them was the possibility of negotiating with [Tottenham chairman] Daniel Levy for perhaps a month, even longer, with no guarantees whatsoever that they were going to get him.”

Real Madrid have history negotiating with Daniel Levy, who pushed them hard during the sales of Luka Modrić and Gareth Bale.

They got their way on those occasions but it seems, right now, like Pochettino will remain at Tottenham for at least another season.