As speculation mounts over Chelsea’s search for a new manager in the summer and the possibility of a vacancy arising at Manchester United in the near future, Tottenham Hotspur’s supporters do not have to worry about their manager deciding that the grass is greener if offers from bigger clubs come his way.

While Pep Guardiola, José Mourinho and Diego Simeone have been linked with Chelsea and United, Mauricio Pochettino’s appreciation of young players, appetite for hard work, good humour, diplomacy and ruthlessness make him an intriguing potential candidate. He would certainly not be out of place at Old Trafford if Louis van Gaal leaves between now and the summer.

However, Pochettino is determined to finish what he started at Tottenham and it was instructive to learn that he is involved in the club’s plans for their new stadium. Tottenham were once regarded as a soft touch, pushovers who could be bullied in difficult away matches, but Pochettino has altered their identity in the past 18 months.

Given that they have the best defensive record in the Premier League, an exciting young attack and a clear, effective way of playing, finishing in the top four should be the least of their ambitions. Having lost twice in 19 matches, Tottenham are authentic title challengers.

Pochettino is not getting carried away but even he can sense that something special is brewing. He will not speak about the title but he knows he is in a good place. “It is our dream,” the Argentinian said. “It is our dream to grow with these players and to be clever, and every season add some young players to refresh the team and maintain the motivation. This is our dream.

“It is about the philosophy of the project at different clubs. It is difficult to speak about different clubs as it is all about what the club wants and the delivery of the project. It is true that football is about winning games. But you have different ways to try to win games, win titles and achieve big things.

At a club where managers have not always been given time, Pochettino has a solid relationship with Daniel Levy, Tottenham’s chairman. “The important thing is to be clear what your plan is,” he said. “If not it is difficult if it is only about results. It is impossible to think about plans or a project. This is the most important thing.

“The problem is the club need to be clear with the manager and say what they want. Here we have a plan. It is important now to set up all the bases, to arrive to the new stadium and build a strong squad and try to play for all when we arrive there.”

A new stadium brings new possibilities. Tottenham have been given planning permission to build a 61,000-seat ground on their current White Hart Lane site and the £400m development is expected to be finished in 2018.

“We are involved,” Pochettino said. “I think our responsibility is not only to win games and work every day at the training ground. The legacy for the future is very important. We are involved in decisions as we are football people. We are the staff, the manager and it is good that the club uses us to take our information and opinion. It is important to feel like a home and it is our family. You want the best for your family in the future. It is like your family and house, it is our responsibility.”

This time last year, Tottenham were basking in the glory of their 5-3 victory over Chelsea, yet they followed that result by losing 2-1 at Crystal Palace. They ended up finishing fifth, tiring towards the end of the season, and they still have to prove they can last the course this time. Their credentials will be examined at Everton on Sunday afternoon. A fourth consecutive victory would be a statement of intent; dropped points would lead to talk of Tottenham’s unreliability.

Pochettino trusts his young players. He values discipline and unity but he earns his squad’s trust and respect by not always coming down hard on them when they falter.

“It must be with good reason,” he said. “Not just to be tough with the young players, as they cannot always defend their position.”

Pochettino punched his palm. “It’s not that they’re young so I kill them,” he said. “I’ll do that if they deserve it, I am tough if they deserve it and need to be put in the right direction. It is like my sons and young people. Sometimes you need to be kind and friendly with them like a brother or dad, sometimes they suffer a lot and they are young in their mind and some players are not mature and you listen to them and need to apply the right psychology at the right moment.

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“You have good and bad moments and in our job we are friendly, good and kind. But sometimes you are upset and angry, and you are tough. We try to apply common sense because that is important. It is true, as it is in my personal and professional life. With my family, it is the same. It’s impossible to be kind 24 hours a day. But if you are upset for 24 hours a day there must be something wrong in your mind. I am happy with positive people.”