Pochettino was pictured meeting with Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu in the Catalan city last week amid reports he is a leading contender to replace Luis Enrique when he leaves at the end of the season.

But the 45-year-old Argentine has already managed Barcelona’s city rivals Espanyol, as well as playing more than 200 games for them.

Pochettino, whose stock is high after leading Tottenham to second place in the Premier League this term, claimed his chat with Bartomeu was nothing to do with the Barcelona post and said he wouldn’t want to betray his old Spanish team by moving to the Nou Camp.

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