Tottenham are poised to appoint a recruitment chief to replace the departing Paul Mitchell, revealed boss Mauricio Pochettino today.

Mitchell is currently serving his notice and though Spurs insist he is still working for them, he is no longer thought to have a direct involvement in identifying targets.

Pochettino’s title was changed from ‘head coach’ to ‘manager’ when he signed a new five-year deal last May, but the Argentine expects Tottenham to appoint a successor to Mitchell.

Asked by Standard Sport about the role, Pochettino said: “It is true that here at Tottenham we need to replace him. The club believe that, not only me. Paul Mitchell is still working for us, and it is a normal process to find another person who can cope with his job in the future.”

Mitchell is thought to be on amicable terms with Spurs although his decision to leave is thought to have been motivated, at least in part, by the club’s failure to sign players he had highlighted last summer, notably Michy Batshuayi, who joined Chelsea rather than Tottenham when he left Marseille.

Pochettino’s immediate concern is to prepare his team for Sunday’s match at Manchester United. Toby Alderweireld is expected to start his first game for nearly two months after coming on as a second-half substitute in the 3-1 win over CSKA Moscow.