Tottenham news: Mauricio Pochettino says talk of leaving can wait until after Champions League final vs Liverpool

Tottenham news: Mauricio Pochettino says talk of leaving can wait until after Champions League final vs Liverpool
Mauricio Pochettino believes it would be ’embarrassing’ to allow talk about his future as Tottenham manager to dominate the build-up to the Champions League final.Pochettino has seen his position at the club the subject of much speculation, having himself hinted he might leave if his side beat Liverpool in Madrid on Saturday.Getty5

Pochettino says he is only focusing on beating Liverpool in Madrid on Saturday

He has been linked with the vacant managerial job at Juventus following the departure of Massimiliano Allegri, and was asked on Monday’s press conference whether he will move to Serie A next season, while he also floated the possibility of taking a sabbatical at the end of the season.Whatever happens in the Spanish capital, Pochettino will sit down with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy to discuss his future and which direction the club takes next.But he is not willing to discuss anything until after the match with Liverpool.“Today no one is more important than the game we have ahead,” he said. “Tottenham deserve for us to be all 200 per cent focused on preparing in the best way for the game.“We can make history, we can write our history and provide our fans and people and family with the best happiness in football.“Today, to think about individual things is a little bit embarrassing and a shame.Getty5

Lucas Moura celebrates completing his hat-trick in Amsterdam, which sent Spurs into the Champions League final

“I am not important. What happens in the future with me – I think we have bigger things ahead to think about.“To play the final of the Champions League, to play with all the emotions that this competition generates, I am nothing to worry about.“I am not more important than the Champions League or the possibility to win a trophy, or the club.“The rumours are out there. You ask about me but today the focus is 200 per cent on the final. Rumours are rumours and are there.5

Pochettino is hugely popular with the fans, having been in charge of Spurs for five years

“After the final we will have time to talk. Today my commitment to Tottenham is 200 per cent.”Pochettino is able to command interest from Juventus, Manchester United and Real Madrid because of the work he has done at Spurs.Taking charge five years ago, he has transformed them into Champions League regulars and Premier League contenders. If the club beat Liverpool, they will become the sixth team to win the UEFA Cup/ Europa League, Cup Winners Cup and European Cup/ Champions League after Juventus, Ajax, Bayern, Chelsea and Manchester United. To get to the biggest match in club football, Pochettino says, is a ‘massive achievement’.“I was thinking today it was my best period here, today I signed a contract five years ago and this period is amazing for us,” he said.“I think we have ahead one of the best games you can play. I think the World Cup final and the final of the Champions League are the two most important games you can play.“It is a privilege to play in the Champions League final on Saturday and we are so lucky to have three weeks to prepare because we are enjoying every single day.getty5

The Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid will host the Champions League final

“I think when you look back all that transformation from the club, I think it was one of the areas to attack and improve.“When you look back the amazing improvement of the club, from facilities and the mentality and the results to be here in the Champions League final.“It is a massive, massive achievement for this club, working and developing a project that is completely different to other clubs who can achieve to be in a Champions League final.”Spurs will not be favourites in the Spanish capital as they finished 26 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League table and lost both games 2-1.Getty5

Liverpool profited from some poor goalkeeping by Hugo Lloris before the ball rebounded off Toby Alderweireld in a 2-1 loss for Tottenham earlier in the season

The Argentine, though, insists nothing that has gone before will matter on Saturday.“It is going to be a completely different game,” he said. “We cannot prepare thinking about a few months ago.“When you play Premier League, or Carabao Cup or FA Cup the circumstances are completely different.“That is why our focus is completely on ourselves. It is a team we know well and they know us well.“But we didn’t prepare thinking of the game we played at Wembley or Anfield. It is Madrid. It would be a massive mistake to prepare like we played in the past.”

---

Breaking news headlines about Man Utd Transfer News & Rumours, linking to 1,000s of sources around the world, on NewsNow: the one-stop shop for breaking news

---

In the other Championship play-off semi-final, it is a West Midlands derby as Aston Villa take on West Brom at home in Saturday's first leg. Villa go into the game on the back of a 2-1 loss to
sports | Stish Is Epic Stish

---

'They are nothing special' - Adrian Durham tears into West

---

Chelsea have signed Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund for €64 million (£57.6m, $73.1m) and have loaned the United States international back to the Bundesliga club ahead of him moving to
Profile on Borussia Dortmund star who will join Chelsea in
sportsalert.org/2019/01/02/profile-on-borussia-dortmund-star-who-will-join-chelsea-in-the-summer-for-58m/
Christian Pulisic is a Chelsea player. The 20-year-old's transfer from Borussia Dortmund to the Premier League side has been confirmed, with the Blues paying £58m for him and loaning him back to the Bundesliga side for the rest of the season.
Dortmund star Pulisic to join Chelsea in £58m deal - goal.com

---

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp could face FA charge after

---

Bristol City striker Antoine Semenyo is being watched by Manchester United according to reports. The 18-year-old Robins striker is currently on loan at Newport County, making 12 appearances so far
Transfer News and rumours LIVE: Man Utd consider - goal.com

---

PAPER TALK Transfer news and football gossip: Gareth Bale to stay at Real Madrid, Man United make Jadon Sancho No.1 target, Arsenal scout Italian wonderkid
Transfer news and football gossip: Gareth Bale to stay at
hollywoodadviser.com/transfer-news-and-football-gossip-gareth-bale-to-stay-at-real-madrid-man-united-make-jadon-sancho-no-1-target-arsenal-scout-italian-wonderkid/
Transfer news and football gossip: Gareth Bale to stay at Real Madrid, Man United make Jadon Sancho No.1 target, Arsenal scout Italian wonderkid
Gareth Bale to stay at Real Madrid, Man United make Jadon

---

Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi will reportedly leave the club in the summer, with West Ham and Wolves said to be interested in his signature. race to sign Benfica wonderkid Joao
Wolves consider swoop for Man Utd's £100m target Joao Felix

---

Manchester United star Paul Pogba branded a 'virus' by Jose Mourinho in astonishing dressing-room row. The Old Trafford boss launched an attack on the midfielder, accusing him of showing a lack of
Jose Mourinho 'calls Paul Pogba "a virus" in sensational

---

SPLIT LOYALTIES The Wolves striker will be battling against his favourite team as the title is decided on Sunday Raul Jimenez has admitted that he does have a horse in this weekend's Premier League title race. The Mexican forward, who has bagged 13 PL goals in his remarkable loan season at the West Midlands club, […]
Raul Jimenez reveals he's a Liverpool fan, but reassures Man

---

Neymar of Barcelona (#11) celebrates after scoring the first goal in their International Champions Cup (ICC) football match against Manchester United on July 26, 2017 at FedExField in Landover, Maryland. / AFP PHOTO / Brendan Smialowski See more
Liverpool news and transfers RECAP - Milner banned from

---

Arsenal 2019/20 third kit 'leaked' images: Gunners fans give new strips seal of approval - 'These kits deserve Champions League football' A close-up of Arsenal's potential home
Leaked images of Arsenal home and away kit 2019/20 revealed

---

Niall Mason, 22, was given the boot by Rovers earlier this year after he pleaded guilty to sexual assault. He was handed a six month prison sentence, suspended for two years and placed on the sex

---

The outstanding form of Wolves full back Matt Doherty has apparently caught the eye of Premier League title hopefuls Tottenham Hotspur. Doherty has been one of the stand out performers for Nuno Espirito Santo's side as they have turned some heads in their first season back in the top flight, with the 26-year-old scoring three and assisting four from right back.
Wolves to ward Tottenham off Matt Doherty transfer with new

---