Pochettino Rejects Tottenham After Criticising Baldini Role

Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino has distanced himself from the vacant Tottenham Hotspur job admitting that working under a director of football such as Franco Baldini would make his position untenable.

Spurs travel to St Mary's this weekend with Tim Sherwood overseeing managerial duties following the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas while the club continue searching for someone to take on the role permanently, with the Saints boss' name under consideration.

But the Argentinian coach has revealed there has been no contact from the north Londoners, also insisting he would not be able to work in an environment where players were brought to the club without the manager's consent, as was the case with Villas-Boas at White Hart Lane.

"As a manager what's really important is that the sporting aspect is under my control, in terms of signings," Pochettino told reporters, Sky Sports report.

"Without my agreement no signings go through, and those two basic things are very important for any manager."

Reports this week have suggested four of Tottenham's summer signings in Nacer Chadli, Vlad Chiriches, Christian Eriksen and Erik Lamela were brought to White Hart Lane without Villas-Boas' agreement, while the coach saw his suggestions to sign David Villa, Joao Moutinho and Hulk ignored.

Pochettino is the latest in a growing list of high profile managers to distance themselves from the Tottenham hot seat. Guus Hiddink and Jurgen Klinsmann are now outside bets due to their existing commitments to the Holland and USA national teams, while Ajax manager Frank de Boer has insisted he is completely focused on the Dutch club.

While the club are still search for a long term replacement, the Southampton boss admitted it is always difficult to see other managers relieved of their duties.

"I'm always very respectful with decisions that people make at other clubs," Pochettino continued. "It's clear that it is never a good thing when a colleague is sacked.

"I wish to Andre Villas-Boas all the best in the future, these things can happen in football."