Mauricio Pochettino reveals contact with Sir Alex Ferguson

TOTTENHAM boss Mauricio Pochettino says he exchanges texts with Sir Alex Ferguson but won’t be speaking to him ahead of playing Manchester United.

Pochettino prompted speculation about his future when he met Ferguson for lunch in London last summer while in negotiations over a new contract at Spurs.

United had reportedly included the Argentine on their shortlist of potential replacements for Louis van Gaal but the club chose Jose Mourinho to take over instead.

Ferguson remains a friend and mentor of Pochettino’s and the Spurs boss admits they do still keep in touch.

“No, no I will not speak with him before the game,” he said.

“My relationship with him was, I explain last season and yes, we cross some texts but my expectation is not to talk with him before the game.”

United could fall nine points behind Tottenham in the table if they lose at Old Trafford.

There remains a large gap between the commercial pull of the clubs but Pochettino believes Tottenham are moving in the right direction.

“We are doing a big effort to try to reduce on the pitch that gap,” he added.

“It’s true too our chairman, our board are trying to work hard to reduce the gap by building a new stadium, new facilities like here in the next few years.

“Tottenham is showing their ambition to be a team or club to be one of the biggest in Europe and in England.”

United are expected to splash the cash once again in January while Tottenham are unlikely to do much business as the club are wary of bringing in players mid-season.

Pochettino says signing key players up to new contracts is a more positive indication of progress.

“January is always difficult to find the right profile to help you,” he added.

“Always when you bring players from outside always there is not too much time for that player to settle in your club and your philosophy, for many reasons.

“It will be difficult to find the profile that can help us but the club is doing a very good job to extend contracts of key players.

“That is how we can show our real ambition and how the players show their commitment with us, that’s a bigger statement for the club, to show our ambition for the future.”