An emotional Mauricio Pochettino has told Tottenham fans he intends to return to the north London club in the future and complete unfinished business.
The Argentinean was sacked in November, just five months after masterminding the north London club’s run to an improbable maiden Champions League final appearance following a thrilling run which saw them defeat the likes of Manchester City and Ajax, before succumbing to Liverpool in the Madrid showpiece.
Having established Spurs as a genuine Premier League force, Pochettino warned Daniel Levy that further investment was required in order for the club to go to the next level and end their long-running trophy drought.
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Tanguy Ndombele arrived in a club-record deal in the summer, while the likes of Ryan Sessegnon and Giovani Lo Celso also bolstered an ageing squad but Pochettino was unable to illicit the same level of performance from a clutch of players who had served him so well for the best part of five years.
The 48-year-old was eventually replaced by Jose Mourinho following a 1-1 draw at home against Sheffield United, but despite the sudden nature of his departure Pochettino harbours no lingering resentment and, in an emotional interview with BT Sport, he reiterated his undying affection for Spurs and teased a potential return.
He said: ‘It was an amazing journey that finished in the way that, of course, no one wants. But deeper in my chest, my soul, my heart – I am sure that we will cross [paths] again.
‘From the day that I left the club, my dream is to be back and to try to finish the work that we didn’t finish.
‘We were so close to winning the right trophies. The Premier League and the Champions League.
‘But we stopped and, of course, I am looking forward to move on and I am so motivated for the next project.
‘But deep inside I would like to be back one day because the club is special. The fans are so special.’
Pochettino have been coveted by Manchester United in the past but their recent improvement under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has rendered a move to Old Trafford unlikely, while the former Southampton boss has emerged as a target for Newcastle should their takeover by a Saudi Arabian consortium go through unhindered.
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