Football
Connor O'Halloran 5y

Poch blames exit talk on 'stupid' social media

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has denied claims that he is set to leave club, describing the rumours as "stupid."

Spurs lost 1-0 to Newcastle at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium last weekend to continue the side's unspectacular start to the season, prompting speculation of Pochettino's exit from the club.

"Only social media can create something that stupid," Pochettino said in a news conference on Friday. "I will not walk away after Sunday's game.

"I will be working Monday and Tuesday and then going away for a few days. Do you bet? It's closed now! You lose your money!

"You know how hard we worked in the summer to try and rebuild but those rumours are only created through social media."

Pochettino's side struggled in their other two Premier League games this season, requiring a late Harry Kane winner to eventually see off Aston Villa 3-1 at home on the opening day before VAR ruled out a late Manchester City winner the following week to end in a 2-2 draw.

"I was with [chairman] Daniel [Levy], we were at dinner in London [on Thursday]," Pochettino said. "It was very good. We talked about everything.

"We needed that conversation, very positive. The most important thing is to help the team on the pitch and make sure the communication is clear.

"After five years now I start my sixth season. You know how we worked this summer to rebuild and update."

Spurs face Arsenal at the Emirates in the first North London derby of the season on Sunday but will be without a natural right-back following injuries to Kyle Walker-Peters and Juan Foyth.

Other Spurs players unavailable for the derby include record-signing Tanguy Ndombele, who has a thigh injury, and new arrival Ryan Sessegnon, who continues to recover from a hamstring injury.

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