Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino is edging closer to leaving the club

Sources claim that private discussions over an exit strategy have taken place

Tottenham's form has caused doubts about Pochettino among club's hierarchy

Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Carlo Ancelotti are possible replacements

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is facing the end game at the club with a feeling it is a matter of when rather than if he leaves.

Spurs visit West Ham on Saturday against a backdrop of uncertainty over the Argentine's future, with sources claiming private discussions over an exit strategy have taken place.

ADVERTISEMENT

Tottenham sit 14th in the Premier League — 20 points adrift of leaders Liverpool — although they remain on course to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

It is now a matter of when rather than if Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino will leave the club

Click here to resize this module

The run has raised doubts inside the club over whether Pochettino is the man to mastermind a change of fortunes.

While Saturday's derby may not be make-or-break for Pochettino, it will play a major part in determining his future, particularly as Spurs have not won away in the league since January.

There are growing fears among the club's hierarchy over Pochettino's ability to reinvigorate his players in order to sustain a top-four challenge.

Mauricio Pochettino has once again stated his desire to one day return to manage in Spain

The revenue from Champions League qualification is key to Tottenham's business model, particularly after the construction of a new stadium.

Show Player

Sportsmail revealed in October that Spurs players felt Pochettino was looking for a way out after noticing he had become distant and less hands-on at the club's Enfield training HQ.

One insider now believes it is 'impossible' for Pochettino to see out the season.

Indeed, of the two under-fire managers who will meet at the London Stadium, Pochettino rather than Manuel Pellegrini is under the greatest pressure.

Drawing up a plan for when Spurs need a new manager is already underway.

Identifying a replacement mid-season will pose difficulties — particularly if Spurs decide to go for Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann or Carlo Ancelotti, who have respective jobs at Bournemouth, RB Leipzig and Napoli.

The club would therefore have to pay significant compensation.

Likewise, the fact Pochettino has more than three years to run on his £8.5million contract is a major factor given he will be entitled to a huge cash settlement if he is sacked.

Reaching a financial deal that suits all parties could delay the manager's departure. Yet, the feeling it is a case of how and when Pochettino and Spurs part has been lingering for some time, amid strained relations between him and chairman Daniel Levy, as well as some of the players.

Pochettino will be entitled to a huge cash settlement if Tottenham choose to sack him

Those fears have grown due to Tottenham's domestic struggles and are now being felt — and openly discussed — by the club's technical staff and players.

There has been a feeling for some time that Pochettino is open to leaving, although whether his departure arrives as a sacking or a mutual parting of the ways remains to be seen.

ADVERTISEMENT

Even if Pochettino is pushed, his reputation as one of Europe's top managers will remain. His impressive work at Tottenham has seen the club emerge as perennial Champions League qualifiers — culminating in last season's run all the way to the final.

He will be on Manchester United's shortlist of candidates should they decide to end Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reign, while Real Madrid will take notice if he leaves north London.

Equally, Pochettino would prove an attractive proposition for Paris-Saint Germain as doubts linger over Thomas Tuchel's reign, particularly as he played for the club between 2001-2003.

Pochettino will still have suitors, such as PSG and Manchester United, if he is leaves Tottenham