Mauricio Pochettino Exit Clause Rumours Emerge Amid Real Madrid Links

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is being linked with the vacant Real Madrid job following the departure of Zinedine Zidane, with several Spanish outlets suggesting his news Spurs deal includes a release clause that would allow him to leave for Los Blancos. 

As reported by Sport Witness, Catalan outlets Sport and Mundo Deportivo reported such a clause exists, while Marca contradicted those reports but suggested negotiations could still go ahead. The Times also said there is no clause. 

Pochettino signed his new contract with Spurs earlier this month, a five-year deal. Per Spurs' official website, there was no mention of a clause.

Alastair Grant/Associated Press

Madrid-based Marca's Lorena Gonzalez (via Euan McTear) believes the strong relationship between club and manager means an exit isn't out of the question, however. Gonzalez even said Chelsea already tried their luck:

"Even though there isn't any specific clause in the new contract the Argentine just signed, his good relationship with the London club means that chairman Daniel Levy would be willing to negotiate the coach's exit if Real Madrid do come calling.

"Chelsea recently tried to sign him too, but the rivalry between the clubs and the relationship between Pochettino and Levy meant that a cross-city move never came to fruition."

Zidane shocked just about everyone by announcing his departure from Los Blancos on Thursday, leaving the European champions in a pickle. Most top clubs have already started their preparations for the new campaign behind the scenes, and the list of available managers is shorter than it was two weeks ago.

Former boss Carlo Ancelotti accepted the Napoli job, and his predecessor Maurizio Sarri hardly seems a good fit. Some have suggested former midfield maestro Guti, including Fabio Capello, via football writer James Horncastle:

He has very limited experience, however, and after Zidane guided the team to three straight UEFA Champions League titles, those are some big shoes to fill.

Pochettino has built up enough credit to take on such a massive job, but prying him out of north London would be very hard. Spurs have a reputation for being difficult to deal with in the transfer market―one can only imagine how hard they would fight to keep hold of their boss, arguably their biggest asset.

There are those who believe it can be done, however, including the Mail's Oliver Holt:

Real have an enormous budget and a tendency to get what they want. If they do decide to go after the Tottenham gaffer, this could be the greatest test of their might yet.