Mauricio Pochettino has said he is ignoring the "rumours" of Manchester United's reported interest as the Tottenham Hotspur manager prepares his side for the League Cup quarter-final against rivals Arsenal.
Following the departure of Jose Mourinho as United manager on Tuesday, Pochettino has been widely reported as the club's top target to replace the Portuguese in the long-term. An interim manager is expected to fill the void until the end of the season.
That would, in theory, give United time to tempt Pochettino to leave Tottenham, where he has established a reputation as one of the brightest young managers in Europe during his four-year reign.
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Read more:
Andy Mitten: Jose Mourinho was not a popular figure at Man United - but it was lack of results that led to sack
Richard Jolly on Jose Mourinho: Once the face of gleaming modernity, now more a toxic dinosaur
Who next? Zidane and five other candidates to replace Mourinho at Manchester United
Caption this! Pogba's hilarious reaction to Mourinho's departure from Manchester United
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Pochettino refused to completely rule out any interest in the United job, which might appeal to him given the club's vast resources compared to Tottenham, who failed to sign any players in the summer transfer window.
But the 46-year-old Argentine, whose has led Tottenham to third in the Premier League and a place in the Uefa Champions League last 16 this season, insists he is only concerned with his current team at present.
"After nearly five years there is a lot of rumours about my position as manager at Tottenham," Pochettino told reporters ahead of Wednesday's League Cup quarter-final at Arsenal.
"I cannot answer this type of question because rumours happen. I want to deliver my best at this football club."
Although Pochettino is yet to win a trophy with Tottenham, he has caught the eye by establishing a stylish side made up of flourishing youngsters and astute signings.
His commitment to an attacking game-plan and his friendly relationship with his players is a stark contrast to Mourinho's acerbic personality and dour tactics.
Pochettino wouldn't comment on the reasons for Mourinho's downfall, but said he felt sorry to see his friend sacked after just two-and-a-half years in charge of United.
"First of all I want to send my best wishes to him. I feel so sorry," Pochettino said. "I have a very good relationship with Jose, he is a good friend, it is sad news. It is not my business what has happened in another club. I send my best wishes to Jose."
Film: Raid
Dir: Rajkumar Gupta
Starring: Ajay Devgn, Ileana D'cruz and Saurabh Shukla
Verdict: Three stars
The biog
Name: Ayisha Abdulrahman Gareb
Age: 57
From: Kalba
Occupation: Mukrema, though she washes bodies without charge
Favourite things to do: Visiting patients at the hospital and give them the support they need.
Role model: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
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A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially
How does ToTok work?
The calling app is available to download on Google Play and Apple App Store
To successfully install ToTok, users are asked to enter their phone number and then create a nickname.
The app then gives users the option add their existing phone contacts, allowing them to immediately contact people also using the application by video or voice call or via message.
Users can also invite other contacts to download ToTok to allow them to make contact through the app.
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
