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Lunches with Sir Alex Ferguson be damned, Tottenham Hotspur have their man.
After helping develop and solidify a young core of rising stars while returning the London club to the Champions League for the first time since 2010-2011, Mauricio Pochettino has put pen to paper on a contract extension that'll see him stay with the London club until at least 2021.
BREAKING: Mauricio has signed a contract extension committing his future to the Club as Manager until 2021. pic.twitter.com/0gifUu1C7O
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) May 12, 2016
"I could not be happier to sign this new contract. It was an easy decision for my coaching staff and I because we can feel the appreciation of everyone here–there is no better place to be right now," Pochettino said in a statement released by the club. "This club has all the ingredients to continue to challenge at the very top in both the Premier League and in Europe and we want to be here to be a part of what I believe will be a special period in the club's history.”
With Spurs needing to finance a £400m new stadium -- expected to be ready for them in 2018-2019 -- a coach with the proficiency to both identify and help progress talent without huge financial resources is a must. A number of Tottenham's best players were keen to extend their stay with the club but had verbal, handshake, or otherwise agreements contingent on Pochettino staying as well.
Of significance as well, Spurs are giving Pochettino a title upgrade, which may come as a surprise to outsiders and casual Tottenham backers alike:
Very important to note that Pochettino is now 'manager' not 'head coach'. Told something he was keen on. #THFC
— Lyall Thomas (@SkySportsLyall) May 12, 2016
The official title of Spurs' last several gaffers was "head coach." Pochettino already had a huge influence on transfers, but his ability to impact the club beyond solely on the pitch first team football is now validated in officially granted authority to boot.