Tottenham Hotspur closing in on Southampton’s Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager

SPURS are in advanced talks to make Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino their new manager, and could appoint him by the end of the week.

Southampton's manager Mauricio Pochettino looks on from the dugout before the start of their English Premier League soccer match against Manchester United at St Mary's stadium, Southampton, England, Sunday, May 11, 2014. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

TOTTENHAM Hotspur are in advanced talks to make Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino their new manager, and could appoint him by the end of the week.

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The 42-year-old Argentinian has emerged as chairman Daniel Levy’s principal target and is considered to have been his preferred choice since Tim Sherwood was sacked after the final game of the season on May 13.

Mauricio Pochettino has created a huge impression at Southampton.

Spurs have looked at other targets, most notably the Holland head coach Louis van Gaal prior to his appointment at Manchester United, as well as the current Ajax boss Frank de Boer.

But it appears they have been most impressed with former Espanyol head coach Pochettino, and business is now underway to confirm him as Levy’s 10th manager since taking control at White Hart Lane in 2001.

Pochettino, installed as Southampton boss in January 2013, has been hailed for having masterminded their rise from the bottom six of the Premier League to candidates for European qualification this season.

He has also been heralded with significantly aiding the development of England internationals Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana and Jay Rodriguez, as well as successfully integrating Saints’ academy players Calum Chambers and Sam Gallagher into the first team.

Tottenham’s aim is for their next manager to get the best from a squad that had over $A182 millon worth of investment last year and also see a number of encouraging youth players graduate into the first team.

Pochettino, who has one year left on his contract at St Mary’s, described the conclusion of his side’s season as “the end of a project” but Southampton have been determined themselves to get their manager to sign a new deal.

Saints midfielder James Ward-Prowse recently stated it would be a “major blow” to lose Pochettino.

“All the players love him,” he said.

“He has helped me technically and physically and is a fantastic manager.”

Striker Rodriguez also said recently: “He is unbelievable. I love playing under him.”

Originally published as Tottenham Hotspur closing in on Southampton’s Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager