Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has commented on the situation surrounding Paul Mitchell’s future at the club.
Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has told The Guardian that Paul Mitchell’s resignation and notice period won’t affect Spurs during the January transfer window.
Just a matter of months after boss Pochettino had left Southampton to join Tottenham in 2014, Mitchell – then working as a scout with the Saints – made the move to White Hart Lane in order to reunite with Pochettino and become Tottenham’s new head of recruitment.
Mitchell and Pochettino have worked closely over the years to bring considerable talent to North London, as the likes of Toby Alderweireld, Dele Alli, Heung-min Son and Victor Wanyama have all arrived since Mitchell joined Spurs.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
That’s why it was such a surprise when Mitchell decided it was time to leave White Hart Lane over the summer, as he offered his resignation to the club in an attempt to leave, with the London Evening Standard reporting last week that the club’s inability to sign Michy Batshuayi from Marseille was a big factor in his decision to move on, with Chelsea winning the race for the Belgian’s signature.
As reported by the Daily Mail at the time, Leicester City were interested in landing Mitchell to replace Steve Walsh following his move to Everton, but with Mitchell being forced to serve a notice period at Spurs, they went for Eduardo Macia as their new head of recruitment.
Tottenham Hotspur flag
With the January transfer window approaching, many have wondered just what Mitchell’s situation is and whether Spurs will be landing a replacement – and ahead of tonight’s game with Hull City, manager Pochettino has attempted to shed some light on the situation.
Pochettino told The Guardian that Mitchell is still working in the same job as his notice period is for 16 months, which would take him up to the end of 2017 – and whilst he isn’t expected to serve the whole period, he may by asked to work until the summer.
Whilst The Guardian state that Spurs are searching for a replacement, Pochettino suggested that landing a successor is ‘difficult’, but the confusion won’t affect Tottenham’s January transfer plans, with the Argentinian noting that it’s difficult to make new signings in January anyway.
“It will not affect us,” Pochettino said. “He is working because, when he presented his resignation, it was 16 months’ notice. He’s doing the same job, because Tottenham pay his salary. It’s difficult to find a replacement and difficult to move quickly. “
“It’s always to protect our club and our interests. It’s not [only] his decision to sign [players], it’s Tottenham’s. But with him, without him or with another person I think it’s always difficult to sign players in January.,” he added.
Who would you like to see Tottenham appoint as Mitchell’s replacement?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
