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England: Mauricio Pochettino is open to replacing Gareth Southgate in the future (Image: GETTY)
Mauricio Pochettino insists he would be open to managing England one day. The former Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain boss has also revealed his admiration for the Three Lions ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.
Gareth Southgate has managed England since replacing the dismissed Sam Allardyce in 2016. He has led the country to their two most successful performances at major tournaments in recent memory, including a first final since 1966.
Southgate signed a new contract in November 2021 to keep him in charge until the end of 2024. But a World Cup can sometimes make or break a manager's long-term future.
Pochettino has been out of work since being sacked by PSG at the end of last season. If Southgate were to leave his position, the 50-year-old wouldn't rule out applying for the role.
Pochettino told The Athletic: "Of course, my relationship with England has always been very good. We have a very good relationship with the academies, trying to develop young players for the national team.
"I feel so comfortable here. You never know what happens. I am open to everything."
England head to Qatar as one of the favourites to lift the trophy. And Pochettino is expecting them to be strong contenders, led by his former striker at Spurs Harry Kane.
He added: "Their mentality, they are so brave, they are so offensive, they go to provoke the opponent and try to dominate. They don’t care about the team that is in front (of them).
"They try to deliver their job. I like how they approach the game, and they have very good players."
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Pochettino won 20 caps for Argentina in his playing career and played at the 2002 World Cup. He has revealed his love for the competition and made it clear he would like to manage a team on that stage.
He added: "I was lucky to be involved. You don’t think about anything else, you don’t think about money, you think only to deliver your best, and to try to make the people happy.
"Because you know very well that your country is behind you. The feeling is completely different from another competition.
"That is why the players feel so different, playing for the national team, when you are involved in the competition. The World Cup… is different."
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