Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as favourite for the Barcelona job after reportedly being contacted by the club.

The Blaugrana are expected to sack their current manager Ernesto Valverde on Tuesday amid the belief that he's simply not been getting enough from his players.

According to Spanish publication AS, Pochettino has been spoken to about taking over the role, with club president Josep Bartomeu willing to take a chance on the Argentine.

The report does also suggest that the former Tottenham manager wasn't actually first choice.

Both Xavi and Ronald Koeman are said to have turned down offers in favour of staying where they are.

But Pochettino certainly isn't a bad third choice, is he? Although there's a chance he could become the next manager to reject Barca - based on his previous comments.

"I would never train Barcelona or Arsenal because I am tied to Tottenham," he once said.

"I grew up at Newell’s and I would never train Rosario Central."

Pochettino even added that he would prefer to leave football rather than coaching Barca or any of those other teams.

"This is my decision. I would prefer to work on my farm in Argentina than to go and work in certain places."

Of course, his opinion could have changed in the last few months.

The Argentine is no longer managing in north London and was actually heavily linked with taking over the Gunners before they appointed Mikel Arteta.

So we can never say never. After all, surely Pochettino would love to move to a club that competes for trophies every single year - he deserves to win some silverware after a baron spell at Spurs.

Oh, and then there's Lionel Messi of course. Would any manager in their right mind turn down the chance to coach him? Surely not.

Should Barca sack Valverde as expected on Tuesday, then all eyes will be on Pochettino in the coming days.

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