Newcastle could appoint Mauricio Pochettino without paying £10m compensation

Tottenham are running out of time to claim compensation for another club hiring Mauricio Pochettino, despite reports linking the Argentine with Newcastle United. 

Pochettino has been open to a return to the Premier League and with a possible takeover soon, there have been other options for the Magpies job too. Rafa Benitez, Lucien Favre and Massimiliano Allegri are the other popular names. 

As per reports in January, Spurs will be due £10m if their former manager takes over a  club before the original season-end date in May but the Standard report that the date was linked with the timing of his sacking not the end of the season specifically. 

This means there is a possibility that Jose Mourinho’s Spurs may face their former manager this season itself, however, it is also said that Steve Bruce will be given another chance till the end of the season to prove that he can lead the club to European football.  

Newcastle’s prospective owners PCP Capital Partners are in the hunt for a high-profile name to succeed Bruce considering long-term goals. Daniel Levy and co would undoubtedly be happy with a hefty financial boost via the compensation, especially because they’re continuing to pay Pochettino’s £8.5m salary until he finds a new job. 

Recently, Tottenham approached Pochettino along with the members of his backroom staff to discuss a possible reduction in payments as a way of cutting costs during the coronavirus crisis. 

Spurs are also in talks with their current manager Jose Mourinho, who succeeded Pochettino after he was sacked in November about a potential pay-cut from his £15m salary and are negotiating with the players as well. 

The coronavirus pandemic has already spoilt the football season and is on the verge of stopping any footballing action until June. June 8 is the estimated date that the Premier League should resume on but nothing is concrete as things stand. 

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