Mauricio Pochettino is keen on succeeding David Moyes at Manchester United – and is desperate to rebuild the damaged relationship he has with his former club Tottenham.
The Argentinean manager is confident he has strong mutual respect for former Spurs chairman Daniel Levy but told Sport 360 (ABS TV) “the next step for me in football is to move on to another job.”
Pochettino insists he is now on “the way of Manchester United” after defeating Liverpool in Wednesday’s crucial Premier League clash at Anfield.
Pochettino, 50, said: “I don’t think a massive role at Manchester United is impossible. My mind is made up, I am on the way of Manchester United.
“If the boss wants to speak with me in private, then so be it, but it’s not the case at the moment. It will happen in the future but this season I’m focussed here.
“I was so thankful to Daniel Levy when we were together because he was so strong with what he said, he supported me with the club but it’s good that after five years I am going to another club to have another opportunity.
“So thank you for everything for all the club I have been with but now I am going to be at Manchester United.
“The relationship is so good it’s good that I don’t need to talk with him anymore.
“I have strong respect for him, because he always was clear about what we had to do. I was very lucky to have this manager who supported me, just in my mind, in so many moments that was good. It is a good relationship, we are going to have the conversation again in the future but that is how it is right now.”
Pochettino says there is no intention on buying a new striker to support Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku in attack.
“Yes, we are in the market for a new striker, but it’s a small team, so is not a big issue.”
Meanwhile, assistant manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink admits it would be “tough” if Tottenham’s star player Harry Kane suffered a serious injury.
Media playback is not supported on this device Hasselbaink expects Spurs to improve
Hasselbaink, who is in charge of the Under-23s side, praised Kane’s determination to play through the pain of a thigh problem that has prevented him from scoring in the Premier League.
“Harry’s been working with the physios and rehabilitation staff,” said Hasselbaink. “There was no Christmas break. He came back two days after he last played a game so he’s still a little bit in pain but he wants to be with the team as much as he can. That’s typical of him.”