Pochettino revelation about Tottenham contract talks

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Published on:

09 Apr 2016, 6:49 am

By London correspondent Tony Hughes

Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that he has shunned an agent to represent himself in contract talks with Tottenham.

The Spurs manager is convinced he is best placed to decide what is best for his career and negotiate his own deals.

Pochettino, 44, has not used an agent since retiring from playing in 2006 and moving into coaching, with his first management post at Espanyol three years later.

In subsequent moves to Southampton and, then, Tottenham, Pochettino has continued to go without an agent.

This is a highly unusual move in top-level football, where negotiations involves multiple millions of pounds and players and coaches are keen to allow an agent to negotiate the best possible deal on their behalf.

"The best agent for me, is myself," said Pochettino on Friday, as quoted by FourFourTwo. "When I stopped playing football, I stopped my relationship with my agent," the 44-year-old explained.

"I want to manage my life. I'm not disagreeing with a manager that has an agent. I think I can deal with the offer.

"You need to ask [Tottenham chairman] Daniel [Levy] if I'm strong or not. I think [he is], yes. I only have one experience from the beginning. When I negotiate my contract, then we'll see."

Pochettino has been widely hailed for transforming Spurs' fortunes in just two seasons at the helm on a budget that dwarfs that of the team's rivals.

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The Argentine has been linked with taking over at Manchester United, while there is also said to be interest from European big-hitters like Real Madrid.

Football Insider revealed last month that Spurs want to make Pochettino the best-paid manager in the club's history by doubling his £3.5million-a-year salary to £7million-a-year.

Source close to the Spurs boardroom have said talks are well advanced on a new five-year deal that will be worth £35million including bonuses.

Pochettino insists he will not be swayed by external influences and wants a new deal at Tottenham.

"I think Tottenham today is in a very good place. We have great facilities, our supporters are fantastic," he said. "Why find another place? For the players, I think they feel at home here. I think me too. The same."

Tottenham Hotspur

Mauricio Pochettino