Pochettino was 'open' to Arsenal, backs Arteta and 'loves' Spurs | OneFootball

Former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has admitted he would have been open to the Arsenal job.

Pochettino took Spurs all the way to the Champions League final last season and established the club as a top four regular.

Speaking to the Mirror, though, he admits he was “open” to a switch to their north London rivals.

“When I say I am open, I am open, I cannot say that I am open but I’m closed to someone,” the Argentine admitted.

“It’s different if you receive an approach and you listen and say yes or no. That’s different.

“But you can’t say that I’m open but on that I am not open. You are open and then you are open. Anything can happen.

“When I say I am open, I am open to listen to any club.”

Pochettino was swiftly replaced by José Mourinho last month and is happy to see the club doing well.

“Of course (I am happy to see Tottenham doing well) because I love Tottenham.

“I love the fans, I love the players, I love the club, the staff and of course when you leave a club, always you want them to win games because that means the team is alive, the team was already prepared to compete.”

As well as his links with Spurs, Pochettino is also well connected to new Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

The two played together at Paris Saint-Germain early in Arteta’s playing career and the two have shared a bond ever since.

“I wish him all the best of course,” said Pochettino.

“He’s a very good friend of mine, we met PSG, he was very young, I was captain of Paris Saint Germain and it’ll be interesting to see him in the dug-out.

“I wish him all the best, he deserves big success in football.

“He is so clever, I hope he can enjoy the new position in his career in football because he’s been an assistant and now to be on the touchline as a manager, coach or head coach in this case is different. But he has experience and the knowledge to do a great job.”