has reiterated his ‘commitment’ to Paris Saint-Germain and refused to comment on speculation he wanted to join before Erik ten Hag’s appointment at Old Trafford.
Both Pochettino and Ten Hag were interviewed for the role, with the Premier League club opting for Ten Hag and appointing the Dutchman on a three-year deal.
Ten Hag, 52, will take over from at the end of the season, having guided to two Eredivisie titles since joining the club in 2017, with another potentially in the pipeline.
Pochettino has long been linked with a move to Old Trafford and United legends Sir Alex Ferguson, Wayne Rooney and Gary Neville all admirers of the Argentine, who managed in the Premier League with Tottenham and Southampton before his move to Paris.
Speaking to the press for the first time since Ten Hag’s appointment, Pochettino was asked whether United’s announcement allowed him to fully focus on PSG, who could clinch the Ligue 1 title this weekend.
‘All the rumours throughout my football career have never really affected me, I don’t comment on rumours eithers,’ Pochettino said.
‘When I have been in charge of Southampton, Tottenham and now PSG, I have always been fully committed.
‘Rumours are rumours, we don’t need to pay attention to them now. We know they exist and they are generated on a daily basis.
‘As always, we are focussed on our job at the club.’
Pochettino earned many admirers during his spells with Southampton and Tottenham but PSG’s recent shortcomings ‘cost’ him the Old Trafford job, according to Manchester United legend Gary Neville.
Paris Saint-Germain failed to win the domestic league title last season while they were knocked out of the Champions League before the quarter-finals earlier this month.
Asked to explain why United overlooked Pochettino, Neville told Sky Sports: ‘I think ultimately Pochettino has been the outstanding choice for a number of years. Losing in the Champions League this season, not winning the league in France last year…
‘Let’s be clear, PSG is not an easy club to manage. [Chelsea manager] Thomas Tuchel had problems over there. Tuchel wasn’t the statesmanlike like figure he has been at Chelsea at PSG.
‘So I think purely what has happened with Mauricio Pochettino at Paris Saint-Germain has cost him.
‘He’s got great experience of the Premier League, he did a brilliant job at Southampton and Tottenham.
‘But the current mood is absolutely key and Ten Hag is the man of the moment. Look, United have spoken to both of them and the club have determined that Erik ten Hag is the right man to take the club forward.’
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