• Spurs manager is wanted to replace Zinedine Zidane • ‘When Real Madrid call you, you have to listen to them’

Mauricio Pochettino has said he will not force a move away from Tottenham but has not ruled out joining Real Madrid in the future.

Pochettino is Real’s preferred candidate to replace Zinedine Zidane, despite the Spurs manager having signed a five-year contract only last week. Speaking at an event to promote to his book A Brave New World in Barcelona on Friday, Pochettino reaffirmed his commitment to Tottenham, although appeared to keep the door open to a potential switch, depending on the chairman, Daniel Levy.

Pochettino said: “It would be disrespectful to Daniel for me to force a move. I’ve just renewed with Tottenham and I am happy. I live in the present – there is nothing more important than that. I enjoy what is happening and what has to be will be. The link now with Madrid is normal and I take it with all normality. I’m committed to Spurs and still have a long contract with them I just signed.”

Pochettino was asked if he was “ready for a challenge like Real Madrid” to which he responded: “Right now I am ready to go to lunch. I’m looking forward to going back to London.”

Asked if saying no to Real was impossible, he replied: “For you maybe. Not for me.”

He added: “I’m so happy and proud with the faith Spurs and Levy have shown to me. That’s the most important thing for me.”

The 46-year-old had earlier been ambiguous over his future, telling the Spanish newspaper El Confidencial: “When Real Madrid call you, you have to listen to them. Although in this case it doesn’t depend on me. I have just signed a long contract with Tottenham and I am very happy here.

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“I am happy at Tottenham because they let me work and we are growing together. Right now I want to focus on planning for next season and keep out of all the things that are being said. There will be lots of rumours, lots of things said, but I have no news from Real Madrid.

“I’m working very comfortably at Tottenham and it’s my obligation to focus on that. I do not want, nor can I, comment on Zidane going but what he has done is undoubtedly very big: no one has won three Champions Leagues in a row recently.”

Tottenham insist there is no clause in Pochettino’s contract that allows him to leave, nor a verbal agreement he can join Real.