Pochettino happy to be linked with Real Madrid job and 'hopes' to return to Spain

The Tottenham manager, 47, has been a long-term target for the Spanish giants as they continue in their struggle to replace Zinedine Zidane.

But rather than get distracted by the reports with a move to the Bernabeu, Poch sees them as a "positive" and as recognition for his work with Spurs.

Speaking to Spanish broadcaster TVE, the Argentine said of the Real Madrid links: "I see it as something positive. It means that someone there has noticed that we’re doing our jobs well.

"My relationship with Spain will always be there. Hopefully one day I can go back there and play some winning football that people like to watch.

"I would consider going back. You should always remain open to new experiences and new projects."

Pochettino spent a large part of his playing career with Barcelona's rivals Espanyol, featuring more than 300 times, before entering the world of management with the same club.

But after moving to England to take the reigns at Southampton six years ago, could he become Barca's No1 enemy by returning to Spain and joining their other arch-rivals, Real Madrid?

Well, if he was to move this summer, that would mean replacing current boss and former international team-mate Santiago Solari.

The former B team coach took over from Julen Lopetegui in November but his job is on the line after a run of four home losses in a row which included back-to-back defeats to Barcelona within four days.

And the humiliation at the hands of Ajax on Tuesday, crashing out of the Champions League for the first time in four years, has all but ended Real's season in March.

Poch added: "I know Solari because we played together.

"He is a colleague and it’s always frustrating and disappointing when teams like Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid get knocked out of the big competitions."

Pochettino is heading back to former stomping ground St Mary's this afternoon but will have to watch from the stands after receiving a two-game touchline ban for his confrontation with Mike Dean at Burnley last month.

The Argentine admitted he cried when he left Southampton in 2014 to join Spurs and still has a lot of affection for his former employers – even if many of the supporters refuse to forgive him.

Previewing the clash, he said: "Southampton have very good players, a very good squad. Of course there were a lot of people disappointed when I left the club and will not forgive me.

"But I still love them. A lot of people feel that love. I love Southampton.

"For me, I spent one and a half years there, I can tell you it was a great experience I enjoyed a lot.

"For different reasons, it is difficult to explain and understand why I left. But I cried a lot when I left, my family too.

"It was one of the most important periods in my life, that my family enjoyed the most. That’s why it was so tough."

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