Mauricio Pochettino has encouraged Saints fans not to “live in fear of the future” – and says talks over a new five year plan for the club should start soon.

The Saints boss found his contract situation under sharp scrutiny at his final pre-match press conference of the season yesterday.

Pochettino has just a year remaining on his present deal with Tottenham said to be interested in recruiting him to replace Tim Sherwood this summer and players keen for him to commit himself to an extended stay at St Mary’s.

Pochettino has put off talk of any new deal or his future until the end of the campaign, which is now just a day away with the finale against Manchester United at St Mary’s tomorrow afternoon.

It seems clear the Saints manager wants to hear what the board has to say before decisions are made.

“I think I have already explained that in other press conferences,” said Pochettino.

“This Sunday when the game finishes with Manchester United a project of five years that has been happening will come to an end.

“It’s up the board to discuss with me the new project that will be in place starting next season.

“It’s not really up to me to decide when those talks happen but the club overall has to explain to me what this new project consists of and how it’s going to start next season.”

He added: “I don’t think you can live in the fear of the future.

“What’s important right now is to enjoy this moment, the present, to relish this magnificent season that we’ve had.

“Sunday is a very good chance to create an amazing atmosphere, to enjoy the game and the end of this amazing season.

“In the future, things will be spoken about.”

When asked what he would like to hear, he replied: “I don’t know. “I cannot answer that question until I speak to them.”

The futures of various players are also uncertain.

Captain and creative talisman Adam Lallana has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool, but Pochettino admitted: “I pretty much have the same information as you have, the same as you received through the media.

“The club has not spoken to me officially about anything so I have the same information as you have.”

Saints have no fresh injury worries ahead of the game against United and the manager wants his team to finish with a flourish.

They need just a draw to record the club’s highest top flight points total for 29 years.

“Our focus is that we always want to win and get the three points and we want to have a very good performance on Sunday. There is no exception on Sunday,” insisted Pochettino.

“There is also the chance to see the supporters, to thank them for their amazing support throughout the season and for the supporters to thank and congratulate the players. “They have been the main actors in making this amazing season possible.”

When asked if it was going to be a goodbye, he added: “We always said goodbye because we finish a chapter and we start a new chapter.”