Ange Postecoglou: I hope Mauricio Pochettino does return to Tottenham

Tottenham head coach Ange Postecoglou has insisted that he does not feel "disrespected" by Mauricio Pochettino saying he wants to return to the club, as the Australian dismissed the impact of speculation about his future.

Pochettino, who is currently in charge of the US men's team, reiterated his desire to manage Spurs again "one day" in a series of interviews during the recent international break.

The Argentine was the club's head coach for five-and-a-half years from 2014, and oversaw an uplifting and successful period in which Spurs twice challenged for the Premier League title and reached the 2019 Champions League Final.

Asked about the timing of Pochettino's remarks, Postecoglou said: "If he wants to come back one day, I hope it happens for him. We all have dreams and aspirations if that’s what he wants.

"You’re suggesting that he’s trying to put pressure on me? I don’t feel disrespected. I think if you ask Mauricio that question directly, you’d get a pretty clear answer as to what his intent was. Again, nothing from me to sort of be consumed with. I’m more focused on trying to make sure we win tomorrow night."

Postecoglou will have a year remaining on his contract at the end of the season but he is under pressure going into Thursday's visit to Chelsea, with Spurs languishing in 14th in the Premier League, having lost 15 of their 29 matches this term.

Bournemouth coach Andoni Iraola, Fulham's Marco Silva and Thomas Frank of Brentford are all admired by Spurs if they decide to part ways with Postecoglou, whose future may hinge on Spurs' success in the Europa League ahead of this month's quarter-final tie against Eintracht Frankfurt.

Asked how he dealt with speculation about his future, Postecoglou said: "I don't deal with it, mate.

"I know what my responsibilities are. I'm sure if the club decides to go in a different direction, there are some outstanding candidates out there for it.

"And you know what, maybe someone will think, 'Ah Ange Postecoglou's not a bad coach, maybe we'll take a punt on him'.

"It doesn't rock my world. It doesn't consume me. I'm here, I'm passionate about what we're doing.

"I was brought in to change the way the club plays, rejuvenate the squad, bring success, I'm focussed on that. That's what I'll keep doing."