Pochettino stays out of controversy over Tottenham chief Levy’s pay

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino says it is none of his business what chairman Daniel Levy earns.

Levy was revealed to have taken home over £6million for the year ending 30 June 2017, though that figure includes a backdated pay rise and bonus and was decided by the club’s remuneration committee review.

Even still, it is thought that works out to be more than some of Spurs’ top stars earn, but Pochettino is not concerned.

“First of all it is very good news for the club, for the company,” the Argentinian said. “It is a record (revenue) for the club and it is very positive news for Tottenham.

“It is not my point to talk, I don’t know the reality. He is my boss and I need to respect everything my boss made and does.”

Revelations of Levy’s income might put Pochettino in a stronger negotiating position with regards to a new contract.

But with three years left on his current deal, the boss is in no rush to get a new deal sorted.

“We are always in contact with him but I have three years more after this season,” he added. “We are so focused on trying to achieve all we can achieve, it is not important for my situation today.

“That is up to him, up to the club to have contact with me if they are happy with my job. Personally I am happy, it’s still a three-year contract. It’s his decision to open contract negotiations or not.”

Last week’s hoodoo-ending win at Chelsea – their first at Stamford Bridge since 1990 – has put Spurs in pole position for another year in the Champions League.

A visit to Stoke is next up and Pochettino says that game will be tougher than last Sunday’s visit across London.

He said: “Sometimes after a great victory, as human beings, you can start thinking, ‘If we beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, why not win the next games?’ And you can drop a little bit in focus.

“For me it’s the opposite, our focus must be 200 per cent. For me, Stoke will be a tougher game than it was at Stamford Bridge.

“We’re playing for three points, the same as against Chelsea. Of course, we feel confident, we trust, we work in a very good atmosphere because we beat a very good opponent.

“In the end, football doesn’t exist in past, only in present and if you don’t prepare to compete again, you can struggle.

“That’s why we must be ready to match them with the same motivation and hunger. Three points will be massive for them but us too because to finish in top four is a massive objective for us.”

Harry Kane will be in contention to start after his quickfire recovery from an ankle injury, but Harry Winks remains out.