Mauricio Pochettino has finally moved to reassure Tottenham that he won’t be taking the Barcelona job if the Catalans come calling.
Luis Enrique’s departure at the end of the season has opened up a position at the Nou Camp, and Spurs’ highly-rated manager is one of the names being touted as a potential successor.
That speculation only intensified over the international break when the Argentine was spotted in the company of the Barcelona president in a restaurant.
Of course, it seems ridiculous that they would hold talks in a public place knowing they would be seen, and it turns out that it was nothing more than a social meeting.
However, Spurs have still been waiting for Pochettino to come out and state explicitly that he has no interest in managing the Blaugrana.
And he has done just that in Thursday’s press conference, citing his association with Barca’s rivals Espanyol as enough to put him off the job.
“I am an Espanyol fan. I think then I do not need to speak too much,” said Pochettino.
“It is like one day if Daniel Levy sacks me in a few years, for me it would be impossible to manage Arsenal.
“In football, it’s hard to keep loyal with your heart and emotion but I believe that before being a manager or a player, you should be loyal.
“I love Espanyol and now Tottenham. It would be impossible to one day move to Arsenal.”
That should keep up spirits in the Lilywhites camp as they prepare to visit Burnley on Saturday.
Spurs sit 10 points behind Chelsea, but in the unlikely event that the Blues slip up against Crystal Palace, they need to make sure they capitalise.
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