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Pochettino not focused on Argentina for now

London - Mauricio Pochettino says that while he has aspirations to coach Argentina one day, it is not something he is ready to take up at this stage of his career.

The 44-year-old Tottenham Hotspur manager, who began his playing days as a defender for Newell's Old Boys in Rosario, Santa Fe, says he could also see himself returning to his former club.

Presently, though the former Espanyol and Southampton manager says he is fully focused on club football, where he has transformed his Spurs side into real Premier League title challenges.

Spurs, who beat West Brom 4-0 at the weekend, are currently second in the standings, on 45 points from 21 games, just seven points behind leaders Chelsea.

His achievement of guiding the north London club to a third-placed finish last term, saw a number of sides, including Argentina, make tentative enquiries about his availability.

When asked if he would be keen on the Argentina job, Pochettino told La Nacion: "No, not really because I'm good here at Tottenham. 

"At my age I like to be involved in the day to day. I just took it as another rumour of football, among the many there are. 

"It is not in my short term to have aspirations to train Argentina. Maybe yes in the long run because my two dreams are to train Newell's [Old Boys] and Argentina."

Pochettino, who is contracted to Spurs until 2021, is meanwhile confident that Argentina will qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia despite currently sitting fifth in the CONMEBOL standings.

He concluded: "I have no doubt that Argentina will qualify. I have absolute confidence in our players and without knowing Bauza, my wishes are the best," he said.

"In recent years, we have been very close. We have only been separated from success by a very thin line."

Pochettino's men who have a red-hot Harry Kane in their ranks next travel to the Etihad Stadium for a crucial encounter against Manchester City on Saturday.

Kick off is at 19:30.

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