Mauricio Pochettino extends Tottenham contract until 2021, warding off interest from EPL rivals

TOTTENHAM Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has extended his contract until 2021, the Premier League club announced on Thursday.

Mauricio Pochettino has extended his contract at Spurs until 2021.

TOTTENHAM Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has extended his contract until 2021, the Premier League club announced on Thursday.

The highly regarded Argentine, 44, arrived from Southampton in 2014 and came close to leading Spurs to their first league title since 1961 this season, only for them to lose out to Leicester City.

His assistants Jesus Perez, Miguel D’Agostino and Toni Jimenez have also extended their contracts.

“I could not be happier to sign this new contract,” Pochettino said in comments published on Tottenham’s official Twitter account.

“It was an easy decision for my coaching staff and I because we can feel the appreciation of everyone here. There is no better place to be right now.”

Mauricio Pochettino has extended his contract at Spurs until 2021.

Pochettino revealed two weeks ago that he had agreed a new contract, but Thursday’s announcement will come as something of a relief to Spurs fans after the former Argentina defender was linked to the Manchester United job.

His previous contract had been due to expire in 2019.

Pochettino has revitalised Tottenham, helping to bring through young English players like Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Eric Dier and earning plaudits for the quality and intensity of his team’s football.

Spurs have secured a Champions League place for the first time since 2010-11 and will be assured of finishing second -- their highest position since 1963 -- if they avoid defeat at Newcastle United on Sunday.

“We have seen Mauricio bring a tremendous spirit and ethos to our club and embrace the attacking style of play with which we have always been associated,” chairman Daniel Levy told the club website.

“He has built a squad of youth and experience and this season we have seen football played at the highest level -- quite sublime at times.

“Everyone at the club is delighted he has agreed an extended contract and we all look forward to working with him in the coming seasons. I know he is as ambitious for our club as we all are.” The new contract means that Pochettino, who guided Spurs to a fifth-place finish in his first season, stands to be at the helm when the club move into their new 61,000-seater stadium, which is scheduled to open in 2018.

Looking to the future, Pochettino said: “The supporters are unbelievable, we have assembled a great group of players with huge potential that can get even better, while the facilities we have to work in are world-class.

“We also have an incredible new stadium to look forward to and now we are determined to build a side worthy of playing in such an exciting new venue.

“We have enjoyed a great season and we believe this is just the beginning. We have a long-term project and huge belief that we can achieve something big here for the future.

“This club has all the ingredients to continue to challenge at the very top in both the Premier League and in Europe and we want to be here to be a part of what I believe will be a special period in the club’s history.”

Originally published as Mauricio Pochettino extends Tottenham contract until 2021, warding off interest from EPL rivals