Dinner with Beckham, Zidane a 'coincidence' - Pochettino
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Mauricio Pochettino has dismissed reports linking him to Manchester United and Real Madrid after the Tottenham Hotspur manager was seen at the same London restaurant as David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane.
Pochettino described the meeting as a "coincidence," saying he was with his agent and only realised that Beckham and Zidane were at the restaurant while he was there.
"I was with Jesus [his agent] and another person," Pochettino told a prematch news conference on Friday. "We were three and that is all the history. Only we say hello because we met by coincidence.
"It was Jesus who told me look in the corner and I turned and it was these two people [Beckham and Zidane]. We finished at the same time, he came to say hello and we spent two minutes talking and we split and went home."
Former England international Beckham played for both United and Madrid during his career, while Zidane has also been linked to Manchester United following the sacking of Jose Mourinho.
Meanwhile, Pochetinno said injured Spurs striker Harry Kane is "nearly ready to play" and could return ahead of schedule against Burnley on Feb. 23.
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Kane has not played since injuring his knee against Manchester United in January and was originally thought to have been ruled out until March.
Tottenham face Leicester City in the Premier League on Sunday before they play Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League round-of-16 on Wednesday.
"He's doing well, fantastic," Pochetinno said. "You know him well, we need to stop everyday because he wants to be ahead of his recovery. He's very optimistic and his determination to play as soon as possible is unbelievable.
"He's doing well, he's nearly ready to play but we need to be realistic too and in between all the areas to take the best decision.
"I think he's so close to come back. Not for Sunday or Wednesday, but we will see after."
Tottenham are five points behind Manchester City and Liverpool in the Premier League title race, but could close the gap to City to just two points before they face Chelsea later on Sunday afternoon.
Asked if Tottenham were in the title race, Pochettino said: "We are there in third. Sunday will be key to win the three points will be tough.
"They are a good team and for us it is key to win the three points to be involved until the end.
"That's our objective and be realistic contender and have the possibility in the last five game to be there and make it possible."
Source: espn.co.uk
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