Mauricio Pochettino has signed his new five-year contract at Tottenham Hotspur and a clutch of key players are now expected to commit to longer-term deals at the club.
The manager announced two weeks ago that he had reached a verbal agreement with the chairman, Daniel Levy, to extend his stay at White Hart Lane and it has since been a matter of finding time to complete the paperwork. Pochettino's three assistants – Jesús Pérez, Miguel D'Agostino and Toni Jiménez – have also signed extensions to their contracts.
Pochettino has overseen impressive progress since his arrival from Southampton in the summer of 2014, shaping a young squad in his style and pushing hard for this season's Premier League title.
He has secured qualification to next season’s Champions League group phase.
It ought not to go unnoticed – and it has not at boardroom level – that Pochettino is £6.3 million (€8 million) in credit on permanent fees spent across his four transfer windows at the club.
Tottenham must finance their new £400 million (€508 million) stadium, into which they intend to move in 2018-19, and so Pochettino’s ability to succeed without heavy backing on the market is invaluable.
Spoke volumes
His players recognise how fundamental he is to the project and Kyle Walker’s reaction spoke volumes when he learned that Pochettino had come to the verbal agreement with Levy over his new contract.
"I've been waiting for someone to say that for ages," Walker told the Observer. "Thank God for that. I'm over the moon about that."
While Pochettino’s proposed new deal remained unsigned, there had been a nervousness among some of the players, who were aware of the stories linking him to Manchester United in the summer, in the event of the Old Trafford club parting company with Louis Van Gaal.
But now players including Hugo Lloris, Harry Kane, Jan Vertonghen, Christian Eriksen, Érik Lamela and Eric Dier are set to sign contract extensions.
Pochettino said: “I could not be happier to sign this new contract. It was an easy decision for my coaching staff and I because we can feel the appreciation of everyone here – there is no better place to be right now.
“The supporters are unbelievable, we have assembled a great group of players with huge potential that can get even better, while the facilities we have to work in are world class.
“We also have an incredible new stadium to look forward to and now we are determined to build a side worthy of playing in such an exciting new venue.” Guardian Service
