Football
PA Sport 9y

Mauricio Pochettino insists Paul Mitchell wasn't his appointment

Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino has said he had nothing to do with Paul Mitchell's departure from former club Southampton.

Mitchell's appointment as Tottenham's head of recruitment and analysis was confirmed on Wednesday.

Press Association Sport reports Tottenham paid Southampton compensation for the former Wigan and MK Dons player, who links up again with the coaching staff he worked with at St Mary's.

Pochettino, who penned a five-year deal as Spurs head coach in the summer, suggests, though, it was others at the club and not him that took the decision to hire Mitchell.

"I never spoke about the new appointment," the Spurs boss said. "I know Paul from Southampton but only I say all the best and good luck in his job."

Asked if he had any role in the appointment, Pochettino said: "No. The club find him and proposed the job."

Mitchell's arrival at Tottenham leaves a void at Southampton, yet manager Ronald Koeman is unfazed by the exit of the man that has headed up the club's scouting and recruitment department since January 2012.

"I think it more of a reflection of what he did and what the club is doing over the last few years," Koeman said.

"Okay, we would like to keep everybody in, but it is football, it is life. There are changes, not only with the players but managers, with technical directors, with chairmen - as well in the position of Paul Mitchell.

"Good luck to him, and we have to look for another one to bring in."

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