Mauricio Pochettino believes he has become a victim of his own success after revealing he is four years ahead of schedule in his Tottenham Hotspur project.

Tottenham manager Pochettino was handed the challenge of securing Champions League qualification in time for the club’s second season inside their new stadium, when he was first appointed in 2014.

But Spurs will move a step closer to qualifying for the Champions League for a third successive year if they beat Watford on Monday night, ahead of moving into their new stadium next season.

Despite the incredible progress Tottenham have made under him, Pochettino has faced growing pressure to deliver a first trophy and saw his side lose a second successive FA Cup semi-final, against Manchester United, last weekend.

“We are victims of our own success because we are ahead in our project,” said Pochettino. “I remind you that in my first meeting with Daniel (Levy) and Joe Lewis, the target was to arrive in the new stadium in four years and to create a team to have the possibility to fight for the top four and the second year (in the new stadium) to play Champions League.