OPINION
With Mauricio Pochettino putting pen to paper on a new contract at Tottenham, fans might have thought that any speculation over his future would subside for the time being.
However, as the Lilywhite faithful will no doubt have learned over the years, there is no stopping the rumour mill from churning, and the latest reports will have that sense of fear and dread building up once again.
Spanish publication Marca have reported that, despite seeing the Argentinian manager sign a deal until 2023, Spurs could watch Pochettino depart sooner than expected thanks to an agreement in place with chairman Daniel Levy.
It is said that the Spurs head honcho will allow the manager to leave north London for Real Madrid or Paris St Germain, should either European giant come calling, with both having been linked to taking on the former Southampton man.
While the French side have appointed ex-Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel as the man in their dugout, the future of Zinedine Zidane is still uncertain – so could this mean Spurs are set for a bombshell earlier than expected?
Possibly, but it is hugely unlikely.
Pochettino would not have committed his long term future if he did not believe in Tottenham’s potential, and if the exit agreement is in the terms of his deal, it would likely not be in place for the summer.
Inserting it into the contract may well have been the only way to get the Argentine to sign a deal – for who knows what goes on behind closed doors – and while Levy might have agreed, he will know that any interested suitor will have to pay massive compensation to prise him away.
While some fans might be fuming with the decision, it is the best case scenario for Spurs, protecting both them and Pochettino for the foreseeable future – even if it means those doubts are yet to dissipate.