Gary Neville believes Mauricio Pochettino will only return to the Premier League for the Newcastle United job or a role at a 'Big Six' club. The former Tottenham manager is currently out of work after leaving Paris Saint-Germain following a turbulent spell in the French capital.
Pochettino was considered to be among the frontrunners for the Magpies hotseat before the Saudi-backed takeover hit the buffers in 2020. Reports in recent months indicate the 50-year-old remains admired among the Magpies hierarchy, despite Eddie Howe's impressive work in the post since his appointment in November last year.
The former Bournemout boss signed a new long-term contract ahead of the season, having steered Newcastle to a comfortable mid-table finish from the depths of a relegation battle. Howe has received transfer backing in excess of £200 million to lead the transformation of the club from perennial strugglers to challengers at the top of the table.
READ MORE: Gary Neville defends 'very good' referee standards after being asked Newcastle VAR question
Neville reckons the current Magpies head coach will be afforded a couple of years in the job, and 'maybe longer' given his performance so far. However, the Sky Sports pundit is confident the club's owners will eventually turn to the likes of Pochettino or another so-called elite manager.
He told the Overlap Review: "He'll have to wait for Newcastle or one of the top six clubs to become available. I think the next manager of Newcastle, I think Eddie Howe will do the job for a couple of years, maybe longer, but I think at a certain point they will bring in a manager that will be a Pochettino or different."
Neville was joined for the discussion on Pochettino's future by fellow pundit Jamie Carragher, and Athletic correspondents Carl Anka and David Ornstein. Beyond Newcastle and the Premier League's top-six sides, the prospect of replacing Steven Gerrard at Aston Villa was raised.
The former Manchester United defender dismissed the possibility of Pochettino taking the job at Villa Park in the near future. He added: "Pochettino is only going to go to a top-six club. He's not going to go below that, is he Mauricio Pochettino is not going to go to Aston Villa. I love Aston Villa as a club but..."
When pushed to explain this view, Neville added: "I think Mauricio Pochettino having had Tottenham, having had Paris Saint-Germain, his aspirations will be higher than Villa."
Gary Neville, speaking on The Overlap Fan Debate Xtra, in partnership with Sky Bet
READ NEXT
'Not cocky or arrogant' - Newcastle find 'wonderkid' who has got James Maddison witness excited
'Need to answer this question' - Bruno Guimaraes gives Newcastle injury return update
What Dan Ashworth told director of football while discussing Newcastle deadline-day transfer
Michael Owen reveals what stopped him leaving Newcastle early for Liverpool despite clause
'This cannot happen' - Joelinton delivers VAR verdict after Newcastle United's weekend frustration
