Italian giants Juventus and Inter are reported to be at the front of an extensive queue for Mauricio Pochettino's services this summer, but may face competition from Germany and Spain for the ex-Spurs boss.
Pochettino has been out of work since November, when a 1-1 draw with Sheffield United left Tottenham winless in five league games, and languishing in 12th place in the Premier League.
? Tottenham Hotspur replace Mauricio Pochettino, one of their best managers ever, with Jose Mourinho.
— 90min (@90min_Football) November 20, 2019
He is the special one. ?♂️ pic.twitter.com/2ohlzDFtwm
The Argentine had taken the club to the Champions League final less than six months earlier, but was mercilessly sacked and replaced by José Mourinho within 24 hours. Despite the sour ending to his tenure in north London, however, Pochettino's reputation remains largely untainted, and it has long been thought that he'll be able to take his pick of available jobs this summer.
He remains technically under contract at Spurs until the completion of this season, which may have impacted his hopes of landing another job until now. He was overlooked for the Barcelona job in January, after which he admitted that he hopes to manage in England or Spain in his next role.
Now he is available for free, or will be in a couple of weeks' time, the field looks to have expanded somewhat. The Telegraph report that both Juve and Inter are giving serious thought to replacing their respective managers this summer, and the availability of a coach of Pochettino's calibre is giving them serious food for thought.
Pochettino is on Juve’s list should Sarri be sacked at the end of the season.
— Bianconeri Zone (@BianconeriZone) July 16, 2020
[Telegraph] pic.twitter.com/coLcsRoxof
Juve will almost certainly win the league title this term but they have long been reported to be unhappy with Maurizio Sarri. Conte being sacked by Inter would come as more of a surprise, but their collapsed title challenge means there is an element of doubt - albeit a small one - surrounding his future.
The report also mentions that Dortmund and Atléti have been 'monitoring' Pochettino, suggesting they could each make a move should they find themselves in search of a new manager. His determination to work in a league in which he has prior experience may sway him towards the latter, but Diego Simeone's post looks the most secure of any mentioned here, after their post-Christmas revival has them on the brink of a third-placed finish, and into the Champions League quarter-finals.
For more from Robbie Copeland, follow him on Twitter!
Source : 90min