Pochettino update dashes chances of imminent Tottenham return

Mauricio Pochettino is a prime candidate to replace Antonio Conte as Tottenham Hotspur head coach this year. However, his north London return looks far from imminent after sharing a series of images showing him enjoying a vacation in Japan on Saturday.

Spurs are reportedly expected to sack Conte in the coming days, three months before his two-year contract expires.

The Italian is said to have lost the dressing room with his brutal rant questioning the ‘selfish’ squad’s commitment after last Saturday’s 3-3 draw at rock-bottom Southampton.

And naturally, Pochettino, currently out of work after leaving Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season, has been touted as his successor.

However, the 51-year-old looked high on life as he took to Instagram to post pictures of his visit to Mount Fuji in Japan.

It can safely rule out any suggestion that he will imminently be announced as Tottenham’s new boss amid continued uncertainty about who will helm the team from next week onward.

Julian Nagelsmann emerged as a potential candidate this week after Bayern Munich dismissed him on Friday.

Sky Sports state Nagelsmann is open to talks over the soon-to-be vacant position in the dugout, with other reports claiming he owns a Tottenham replica shirt and has long monitored ongoings at the club.

In 2019, the 35-year-old German admitted he watched Spurs matches, indicating that he enjoyed learning from his possible rival for the role, Pochettino.

He said: “[I watch Tottenham] since Mauricio Pochettino is there. He is a really good manager, and his team was great to look at as a spectator.”