Pochettino through with “gardening leave”

Football - FA Cup Fourth Round - Crystal Palace v Tottenham Hotspur - Selhurst Park, London, Britain - January 27, 2019, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino reacts after the match. [Reuters/Andrew Couldridge/File Photo]

Mauricio Pochettino says returning to the Premier League is his “priority”, stating he is eager to manage again six months after being sacked by Tottenham.

The 48-year-old transformed Spurs’ fortunes during his five-and-a-half-year reign but failed to win a trophy and was sacked less than a year after leading them to the Champions League final.

The Argentine has now ended his six-month “gardening leave”, meaning he is free to join another club.

He has been heavily linked with Newcastle if their proposed Saudi Arabia-backed takeover goes through, while speculation over the Manchester United job has never gone away.

“After six months, our tanks are completely full,” Pochettino told various British media outlets.

“I have tried with my coaching staff to review everything that we did in the last seven years (including Southampton) because we never had a break until now.”

Pochettino, who still lives in London, said he “loved” England and the Premier League.

“I am not going change (my feelings) now because I am not involved in the Premier League,” he said. “Because I am no longer the Tottenham manager, I am not going to change my vision.