Saints manager Mauricio Pochettino has revealed that negotiations over a new contract for him have not yet taken place.

A report this week suggested that a fresh deal for the Argentine was being prepared by the club to fend off potential interest from tomorrow’s opponents, Spurs.

However, Pochettino, whose current contract has another 18 months to run, has confirmed that no discussions have taken place as yet.

“I have until next season,” he explained. “My contract runs into next season, but we have not spoken about it yet.”

Asked if he would like to enter into talks about a new deal soon, or if he was happy to wait, Pochettino said: “It’s not up to me, it’s not my decision.

“I have a contract until the end of next season and, at the moment, we’re fully focused on the game up ahead – that’s 100 per cent our focus, nothing else.” The Saints boss has been mentioned as a possible successor to Andre Villas-Boas at White Hart Lane, after the Portuguese boss was dismissed on Monday.

Pochettino revealed that he had received no approach from Spurs, who visit St Mary’s tomorrow, while he shrugged off questions about whether he would be interested in the post.

“I never talk about assumptions and possible rumours,” he said. “I’ve never done so throughout my entire career.

“We’re fully focused, and we’re fully focused on the goal up ahead, which is the game precisely against Tottenham and that’s 100 per cent what our focus is on.”

Pochettino produced a similar response when asked if he felt staying at Saints would be a better option now than going to Tottenham.

“My rule is that I never talk about assumptions, I never talk about rumours,” he said. “I don’t speak about intangible things that aren’t really real, so I don’t want to comment on that.”

Pochettino also reaffirmed his happiness at Saints and his bond with the chairman, Nicola Cortese.

“I’m very happy with my situation here in Southampton,” he said. “I have a very good working relationship with Nicola.”

The Saints boss added: “As a manager, what’s really important is that the sporting aspect is under my control.

“In terms of signings, we agree on the signings and without my ok no signings go ahead. “Those two basic things are very important for any manager.”

Pochettino also waved off suggestions about feeling flattered at having his name linked with the White Hart Lane vacancy.

“It has absolutely no affect on me,” he said.

“It doesn’t really affect me at all, in either a positive or a negative way.

“First of all, I read very little press, and it’s something that I don’t need – I don’t need to be flattered in order to confirm the good work that we’re doing here.

“We know that we’re doing a good job here, we have a good team that’s playing how we want it to play.

“It’s not something that I need to confirm the work that we’re doing here.”