Mauricio Pochettino has dismissed suggestions he could walk out on Southampton, and has stated his determination to keep his star players.
The Argentine was a controversial appointment when he succeeded the popular Nigel Adkins last season, but he has since emerged as one of the brightest young coaches in the game. As well as leading the Saints to Premier League safety with ease last season, he has taken them on further this term, as they look for a top-ten finish.
However, last May he said he could not envisage staying at St Mary’s if chairman Nicola Cortese left. So when the Italian left the club on Wednesday evening due to differences with owner Katarina Liebherr, fans were concerned Pochettino would follow suit. But the 41-year-old has revealed on Thursday that he fully intends to see out his contract.
“I am staying as manager,” he confirmed to Saints Player. “I have a professional responsibility to everyone at the club and the fans. Now we’re in the middle of our project and it’s a completely different situation. I’m completely committed. I’m 100 per cent committed to the two years of my contract, I have a responsibility.”
This will also ease the worries of fans that had Pochettino left, a number of their star players would have followed suit. Fullback Luke Shaw has been linked with a whole host of clubs, whilst Adam Lallana is believed to have been added to Manchester United’s wanted list and Rickie Lambert has been the subject of a £7million bid from West Ham united.
Pochettino, though, added: “I want to make one thing clear: no one is for sale at Southampton, no one. And I believe the same thing. No player that I don’t want to leave will leave this club, and I’m 100 per cent committed to those players.”
