‘The club told me’: Sky reporter shares what he was told about Aston Villa and Pochettino on Wednesday

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Aston Villa have been linked with a swoop for Mauricio Pochettino after sacking Steven Gerrard as their manager.

Sky Sports News reporter Rob Jones claims the club told him they had not spoken to the Argentine before dismissing the Liverpool icon.

And the Athletic report that as it stands, Pochettino is not open to the idea of replacing Gerrard, preferring to wait for an opportunity higher up the division.

Villa linked with Pochettino

Jones said: “There are a few names knocking around and there has been for a couple of days.

“A few days ago, there were newspaper reports linking Villa with Mauricio Pochettino.

“The club told me on Wednesday that those reports they’d already spoken to the former Spurs and Southampton manager were entirely false.

“Villa’s owners are wealthy and ambitious but I think it would take quite a sales pitch for them to be able to sell the project to Pochettino.

“Although that is what he had success with in English football, building a team and making them better.”

It remains to be seen which direction Villa will go in if indeed they are unable to get Pochettino to come to Villa Park, as he is seemingly their top target.

An attractive style of football and a clear philosophy are likely to be key requirements after Gerrard’s muddled and stodgy reign.

Villa are ambitious and will want to get someone who is capable of taking them away from the relegation zone as soon as possible, and then building from there.