Tottenham will reject any approaches for manager Mauricio Pochettino this summer after he emerged as a surprise contender for the Chelsea job.

Blues owner Roman Abramovich and director Marina Granovskaia, the key decision makers at Stamford Bridge, admire Pochettino’s work in guiding Spurs to three consecutive top-three finishes, and he has been discussed as a potential replacement for Antonio Conte. The Italian is almost certain to leave the club after Saturday’s FA Cup Final against Manchester United.

Spurs, however, would not entertain an approach for Pochettino from any club and they would like him to extend his contract, which has three years remaining.

There is a longstanding animosity at boardroom level between the London rivals and, although it has cooled in the past few years, they remain particularly reluctant to do business, which would further hamper Chelsea’s chances of poaching Pochettino.

Pochettino cast his own future into doubt after the final game of the season against Leicester on Sunday when, not for the first time, he refused to confirm if he would be at Spurs next season, insisting his future is out of his hands.

The 46-year-old also called on chairman Daniel Levy to “change the idea” at Spurs and “be brave and take risks” to win major honours.

The timing of the link to Stamford Bridge will strengthen Pochettino’s position ahead of his meeting with Levy this week, when he will call for the chairman to release the financial handbrake by guaranteeing him significant transfer funds and a round of improved contracts for leading players. If Levy is reluctant to meet Pochettino’s demands - a scenario acknowledged by the manager on Sunday - it could lead to a fraught summer at the club.

Asked on Sunday if he would be at Spurs regardless of the outcome of discussions with the chairman, Pochettino said: “In football, you never know. Today 100 per cent, I feel like I’m here but the most important thing is tomorrow all can change. It is not in my hands. It is not my decision to be here or not, it depends on my boss.

“It is healthy for ourselves and the club to think you can lose your job tomorrow. You need to give your best and always you have to work with these fears you can lose your job if you are not professional and don’t work 12 hours a day. Professionals do many things and be responsible about the situation.”

Chelsea have also been linked with Napoli’s Maurizio Sarri and Luis Enrique, the former Barcelona head coach.