Tottenham appoint Mauricio Pochettino: Spurs hand Southampton manager five-year deal

Tottenham have appointed Mauricio Pochettino as the club's new manager on a five-year deal.

The club were in advanced talks with the Southampton manager over the last few days and have now confirmed the Argentinean as the permanent successor to Tim Sherwood who was sacked at the end of the season.

Writing on the club's official Twitter account Spurs announced: "The Club is delighted to announce the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as our new head coach on a five-year contract."

In a statement on the club's website, Pochettino said: "This is a club with tremendous history and prestige and I am honoured to have been given this opportunity to be its head coach.

"There is an abundance of top-class talent at the club and I am looking forward to starting work with the squad.

"Tottenham Hotspur has a huge following across the world and I have great admiration for the passion the fans show for this team. We are determined to give the supporters the kind of attacking football and success that we are all looking to achieve."

Commenting on the appointment Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy said: "In Mauricio I believe we have head coach who, with his high energy, attacking football, will embrace the style of play we associate with our club. He has a proven ability to develop each player as an individual, whilst building great team spirit and a winning mentality.

"We have a talented squad that Mauricio is excited to be coaching next season."

Pochettino emerged as the front-runner soon after the dismissal of Sherwood, although there were other names in the frame. David Moyes, Frank de Boer and Carlo Ancelotti were all linked with the vacancy but Spurs saw the Southampton manager as the best choice.

One advantage of appointing the Argentinean is the potential he brings to coaxing the best out of Tottenham's record signing and his compatriot Erik Lamela who endured a dreadful first season after his £30m move from Roma.

The appointment is also likely to lead to speculation that Tottenham can poach Southampton midfielder Adam Lallana from the clutches of Liverpool who have been persuing the England international since the season ended.

Pochettino arrived in the Premier League to replace Nigel Adkins 18 months ago. Although some questioned the appointment, he proved any doubters wrong as he led the Saints to their highest-ever Premier League finish last season as well as overseeing the progress of home-grown players including Luke Shaw, Lallana, James Ward-Prowse and Calum Chambers.

Some will be surprised by the length of contract handed to Pochettino, particularly considering the trend of quick dismissals at the club following the departure of Harry Redknapp.

The announcement means Southampton are now seeking a new manager. Michael Laudrup, Malky Mackay and Murat Yakin are among the favourites for the role at St Mary's.

Pochettino had a year remaining on his deal at St Mary's and has taken with him assistant manager Jesus Perez, first-team coach Miguel D'Agostino and goalkeeping coach Toni Jimenez.

It is unclear what those appointments mean for Spurs' existing backroom team, while there have been reports questioning the future of technical director Franco Baldini.

What is certain, though, is that Pochettino will be charged with securing Spurs a top-four finish by ambitious chairman Daniel Levy after a disappointing campaign, in which a flurry of summer signings failed to gel.