Tottenham have made no contact with Mauricio Pochettino about their vacant manager's job, the Saints boss this morning confirmed.

Saints' Argentinian manager had been touted as a potential replacement for Andre Villas-Boas at White Hart Lane.

But the 41-year-old confirmed no-one from Tottenham has been in touch. Pochettino is happy at St Mary's, especially with the backing of chairman Nicola Cortese.

"As a manager what's really important is that the sporting aspect is under my control, in terms of signings," Pochettino said.

"Without my agreement no signings go through, and those two basic things are very important for any manager."

Tottenham, who visit St Mary's on Sunday, sacked manager Villas-Boas in the wake of last weekend's humiliating 5-0 home league defeat to Liverpool.

Former Spurs midfielder Tim Sherwood will take charge of the Southampton clash, but chairman Daniel Levy is still seeking a full-time appointment.

Pochettino admitted it is always tough to see a peer lose their job.

He said: "I'm always very respectful with decisions that people make at other clubs. "It's clear that it's never a good thing when a colleague is sacked.

"I would like to wish Andre Villas-Boas all the best in the future, these things can happen in football.

"That's the bitter side of this game that no one wants but can still happen."