Three things Levy must change at Tottenham to convince Pochettino to stay

By Sam Preston

The big football story of yesterday happened at Manchester United, as they finally lost patience with Jose Mourinho, but it may also cause reverberations at Tottenham.

Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly United’s top long-term choice to take over at the end of the season, once Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s interim period is over.

Their fans will not be pleased to read the Times report that Pochettino wishes to be considered for the job – and that United are apparently lining up his former Spurs colleague Paul Mitchell to work alongside him at Old Trafford.

So how can Daniel Levy change Pochettino’s mind and persuade him to remain at Tottenham? Making these three changes would go a long way…

Sort out the stadium

(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Tottenham were meant to be in their brand new stadium already, which was supposed to kickstart a new era where they could compete on a more even financial footing with their rivals.

Instead, the move-in date has been repeatedly pushed back indefinitely and has turned into something of a farce.

That on-pitch confusion is not at all in keeping with the high standards Pochettino demands on it and Levy will need to convince him that everything is in place for him to take Spurs where he wants them to go.

Change the transfer policy

(Photo by James Baylis – AMA/WBA FC via Getty Images)

While Liverpool were forensically rectifying weaknesses in their squad over the summer, Tottenham were only really bidding for Jack Grealish.

That looked more like Levy identifying an opportunity to sign a young English talent at a knockdown price as opposed to the result of Pochettino getting a difference-maker through the door.

If that approach doesn’t change, the lure of United’s millions is only going to grow.

Tie down existing talent

(Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The new stadium will help expand the wage structure and Harry Kane and Dele Alli have already committed their futures to the club; Christian Eriksen must be next and it would be a bonus if Toby Alderweireld followed.

Pochettino needs to be free to build on what he already has without worrying that his foundations are being whipped away from him.