Mauricio Pochettino says NO to Barcelona job - but admits "I understand why my name is on the list;

Current boss Luis Enrique announced he would quit the Catalan giants in the summer earlier this week

Pochettino has ruled himself out of the Barca job

Mauricio Pochettino went through the motions of distancing himself from the imminent vacancy at Barcelona but admitted: “I understand why my name is on the list.”

Tottenham messiah Poch Spice is as short as 4-1 with some bookies to take over at the Nou Camp when Luis Enrique steps down in the summer.

And although he did not sound like a man desperate to spring the escape hatch in north London, Pochettino did not discount the prospect entirely.

In a masterpiece of good timing, Pochettino goes head-to-head with Everton's Ronald Koeman, another name high on Barcelona's list, at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Mauricio Pochettino, with Danny Rose, has a close bond with his players

Spurs' head coach insists he is only one of 100 names in the frame, saying: “It's a very big list of 100 names, but I know the business very well and I understand it.

“It's not a question of being flattered because I am already at one of the biggest clubs in Europe and you can see we play good football with an exciting team.

“So it is normal that we are catching the attention of football in Europe and around the world"

“I understand that my name will be on that list but I can't explain any more – if I speak too much, it's possible that my words will be twisted.

“I can only say I'm very happy here, but I understand the football business – when I was born, my mum and dad put a football under my arm – and I understand it when my name is on some lists, but that is normal in football today.”

Pochettino declined to discuss Koeman's prospects of succeeding Enrique at the Catalan giants, saying: “It's not up to me, it's not my decision to make.

“We will meet Ronald Koeman on Sunday – we have a very good relationship, he is a great manager and he was a very successful player at Barcelona. Like me, he is preparing for a very touch game.”