Manchester United would love Pochettino to be their next manager, despite the Argentine insisting he is happy at Tottenham.
Last month, the Red Devils decided to bite the bullet and sack Jose Mourinho after a chastening 3-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.
As the dust settled, Manchester United quickly identified Mauricio Pochettino as their No 1 choice to take over in the summer, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer placed in interim charge until the end of the current season.
For now, the 46-year-old is happy at Spurs.
He even said as much recently, claiming he would be willing to spend the next 20 years in north London.
“I hope, or I wish to be here 20 years, and decide to leave or to finish my career here,” said Pochettino.
“I am so focused here, and want to help the club to achieve what the club want to be in history.
“It would be fantastic. I am so happy to be here. I am so happy to work in that pressure. Why not?”
Yet the Manchester Evening News say United would back Pochettino heavily in the transfer market should he take over.
And, given Spurs’ cautious transfer policy, that could be music to the Argentine’s ears.
United have often backed a new manager in recent years – David Moyes aside.
The Scot spent his sole summer in charge lusting after Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Cesc Fabregas – but ended up with just Marouane Fellaini instead.
Louis van Gaal made five signings in his first pre-season, landing Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera, Radamel Falcao, Daley Blind and Angel Di Maria.
And Mourinho was afforded funds to land Henrikh MKhitaryan, Eric Bailly and Paul Pogba in 2016. Zlatan Ibrahimovic also swaggered into town from PSG, albeit on a free transfer.
The MEN also quote a source as saying Pochettino WILL examine any offer from United.
“He is very comfortable at Tottenham,” the source said.
“If an offer is presented, he will take it into account and evaluate what is best.
“For now, we do not know anything about United.”