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According to a report in The Times, Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino wants to be considered for the Manchester United job in the summer, and it could mean that Southampton already need to worry about losing Ralph Hasenhuttl.
What’s the word, then?
Well, the Red Devils sacked Jose Mourinho on Tuesday morning following a dreadful season to date for the club, and while they are set to appoint a caretaker until the end of the campaign to replace the Portuguese, they seem likely to make a long-term appointment next summer.
Pochettino would surely be one of the names near the top of their shortlist given his success with Spurs, where he has helped them become genuine title contenders, brought through and developed young stars and got them playing an exciting brand of football.
The Times report that the 46-year-old believes the opportunity to take over at Old Trafford would be too good to turn down, but it could cost United £34m to prise him away from the north London outfit.
On the chalkboard
If Pochettino does make the move north then Tottenham will be looking for his ideal replacement, and while it is early days for Hasenhuttl in the Premier League he could well be a contender if things go well over the course of the rest of the season.
The Austrian has already lifted the spirits of the St Mary’s faithful and his players despite only replacing Mark Hughes earlier this month – as shown with the 3-2 win at home against Arsenal on Sunday which was their first league success on their own patch since April.
The 51-year-old is astute tactically and has a big personality – similar to that of Jurgen Klopp which was on display as he ran on the pitch to hug his players following the full-time whistle at the weekend – and he could be an ideal fit at Tottenham as a result.
Spurs already nabbed Pochettino from Saints back in 2014, and they certainly wouldn’t be afraid to do the same again if Hasenhuttl proves to be the real deal.
Check out the video below for Emma Conybeare’s rundown of which clubs need what in the January transfer window…