Man Utd and Arsenal handed blow in Pochettino pursuit because of Levy clause - EXCLUSIVE

Mauricio Pochettino has been linked with succeeding Unai Emery at Arsenal or replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United.

Posted Sunday, December 01, 2019 by Express.co.uk

Manchester United have been dealt a major body blow after the Sunday Express has learnt Mauricio Pochettino would have to repay Tottenham his £12.5million pay-off if he takes another Premier League job this season. Pochettino and his coaching team pocketed more than £20m between them when they were axed by Spurs and replaced by Jose Mourinho two weeks ago.

But thanks to a clause inserted into his contract by Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy he will have to give it back if he moves to any Premier League clubs who may come calling before the summer.

Pochettino will have the pick of any top European jobs that come up after leading Spurs to four successive top-four finishes in the Premier League and the Champions League final last season.

He has been linked with United if they decide to part-company with Solskjaer who has been under increasing pressure after they plummeted to nine points outside the Champions League places.

Man Utd and Arsenal handed blow in Pochettino pursuit because of Levy clause - EXCLUSIVE
Man Utd and Arsenal are interested in Mauricio Pochettino (Image: GETTY)

Solskjaer could now remain in charge at Old Trafford until Pochettino’s clause expires freeing him to take another Premier League job without the massive financial penalty.

While he is on the wish list of many Arsenal fans after Unai Emery cleared out his office at the Emirates Stadium on Friday morning after 18-months in charge.

The clause is believed to only cover the Premier League could open the door for Bayern Munich who are currently looking for a new head coach or Real Madrid if they sack Zinedine Zidane.

A Spurs spokesman remained tight-lipped saying “we wouldn’t disclose information on contracts” when we approached them for a comment.

Earlier this week Pochettino released a statement on his Tottenham exit.

"I would like to thank Joe Lewis and Daniel Levy for giving me the opportunity to be part of Tottenham Hotspur’s history," Pochettino said, in a statement via the League Managers Association.

Man Utd and Arsenal handed blow in Pochettino pursuit because of Levy clause - EXCLUSIVE
Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could be replaced by Mauricio Pochettino (Image: GETTY)