Mauricio Pochettino insists he is happy at Saints and is not thinking about his long term future.

There seems to be constant speculation linking him with moves to other clubs following the excellent work he has done at Saints and the departure of Nicola Cortese as executive chairman.

Added to that mix is that Pochettino only has one further season after this to run on his current contract, and talks over a new deal have yet to start.

Pochettino was this week linked with Real Madrid but said: “You all know I am not one to speak about rumours, speak about unrealistic things, intangible things, so I really have no comment on that.

“I also don’t like to talk about the future - I am not one to talk about the long-term future.

“Real Madrid are an amazing club, a great club and you never know what could happen in football, but at the moment I am really happy at Southampton and that is my present right now. Nothing else.”

He added: “Of course it’s very flattering for Southampton as a football club and also for our players because they are the ones on the pitch making us so great, so it is very flattering in that sense.”