Mauricio Pochettino might not want to discuss his Saints future until the season is over, but the club’s fans take a very different view.

An online poll at dailyecho.co.uk, which has garnered well over 2,000 votes, revealed that 85 per cent of supporters believe it is important for the manager to sign a new contract before the summer.

Pochettino’s current deal runs until the end of next season, but he has been linked to a number of other clubs, particularly Tottenham Hotspur.

The highly-rated 42-year-old, pictured, has stated that negotiations are not a priority for him at this point, as he wants to focus on guiding Saints to the highest possible league position before beginning talks.

“At the moment, we’re in the midst of finishing the competition as best as possible,” he said.

“I am not a manager to speak about individual situations when we’re in the middle of doing that, which also includes my own personal, individual circumstances.

“I think the fact that I still have an additional year on my contract is proof enough that we should be focusing on the league, focusing on the competitions.

“After these six weeks, then we can speak about things in a calm manner and I can get to know more how the club wants to move forward, what the new project at the club is and how we move forward from then on.”

The fans are not the only ones who are keen to see Pochettino sign an updated deal quickly.

A host of key first-team players have already stated how crucial they believe it is for him to commit to a new long-term contract, with Rickie Lambert, José Fonte, Artur Boruc and Luke Shaw all going on-the-record over the matter.

Fonte said: “If you want this club to go higher and better, I think, in my mind, there’s no doubt that we need to keep Mauricio for a long time.

“By keeping Mauricio, you probably keep the most important players.”

Lambert also told the Echo: “I think once the gaffer’s signed then I think that’s going to reassure everyone and that will give everyone else confidence of the direction we’re going to go.”