Manchester United’s hopes of making Mauricio Pochettino their manager might have hit a snag – after it was revealed he has an expensive clause in his Tottenham contract.
United have been linked with Pochettino for over a year, but the club decided to choose Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to replace Jose Mourinho last year, with the prospect of luring the Argentine from Spurs thought to be too difficult.
But with Pochettino now out of a job, the Old Trafford chiefs may have been tempted to dismiss the under performing Solskjaer are pursuit the free agent.
Pochettino was sacked by Spurs last month after over five years at the helm, but his contract has a clause which would see any suitor have to splash the cash.
According to the Sunday Express, Spurs would demand Pochettino to repay his £12.5million payoff if he was to join another Premier League outfit this season.
Pochettino would almost certainly forward that payment into any future employer as part of any contract negotiations – which would lessen his value.
Pressure is slowly starting to build on Solskjaer after a third straight match without a win – with the Red Devils ninth in the Premier League.
The Norwegian has only won eight games since he was handed a full-time contract at United.
Despite that, assistant Michael Carrick insists Solskjaer isn’t worried by speculation that Pochettino is being lined up to manage United.
“That is just the way it goes. It is not something you even contemplate at all and that’s genuine,” Carrick said.
“In a position like this, as a coach or player at United, you can’t be swayed by what is said outside.
“We are professional, focused and believing in what we are doing. It’s not an issue at all. There is a lot of work going on behind the scenes not just putting the first team together.
“I have had all this since when we were winning Leagues. I remember the start of the 2007/08 season there was stick because we weren’t scoring enough goals or we weren’t playing well enough.
“Then we won the Champions League. So you become totally oblivious to it, that’s the truth.
“Some of the things said or written, it doesn’t effect us. It is the nature of the game. The beauty of being at this place is the scrutiny and expectations.
“And if you are fortunate to be here a period of time, you get used to it.
“Some of the young lads and new boys coming in, they will get used to it as well.”
Source: Mirror
