Tottenham stars surprised after Mauricio Pochettino hints at a future away from the club

It did not take long for ears to prick up among the Tottenham squad after Mauricio Pochettino had finished his post-match media duties at Wembley.

For perhaps the first time in nearly four years in charge, Pochettino had invited Tottenham to consider a future without him. To be clear: Pochettino volunteered this himself, rather than in response to a specific question, and did so in both broadcast interviews and then in the press conference for newspapers. “Tottenham need more time, with me or another,” he said.

Tottenham have been quick to play down the significance of Pochettino’s remarks. They argue that the Argentine was merely disappointed at the FA Cup semi-final defeat by Manchester United and was speaking less than an hour after the final whistle, when emotions were still running high.

Pochettino’s £5.5million-a-year contract runs until 2021 and the club are likely to offer him a new one in the coming weeks. They are delighted with his work and expect him to be in charge next season, which the club hope will be their first in their new 62,000-seat stadium, a project that has cost more than £800million.

Yet Standard Sport understands some players were surprised at learning what Pochettino had said. For a number of key men in this Tottenham team – Hugo Lloris, Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Jan Vertonghen among them – Pochettino’s presence is fundamental. If he were to agree another improved contract, it would make everything else flow more smoothly. Otherwise, it is shaping to be a tricky summer in N17.

Players like Kane, Alli and Christian Eriksen know they could earn substantially higher salaries elsewhere, but all have signed new deals at Spurs in the last two years mainly because of their rapport with Pochettino, and because they believe in his work.

Pochettino believes the squad needs to be stronger if Tottenham are to make the final jump from nearly men to winners. Toby Alderweireld, Danny Rose and Mousa Dembele and Fernando Llorente could all depart before the start of next season and new defenders are a priority, with Fulham’s Ryan Sessegnon on the list along with Jamaal Lascelles of Newcastle.

There is also a long-standing interest in Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha although the asking price is likely to be very high, and Spurs already have a number of attacking midfielders in their ranks.

If the players suspect their manager has doubts about the future, it is certain to influence their thinking when they consider whether to sign again. Apart from Dembele, all Tottenham’s key men are under contract for at least two more seasons, with Kane’s and Alli’s deals expiring in 2022. They will want to know Pochettino’s intentions before they make clear their own.

More than anyone, Pochettino keeps this Tottenham squad focused and – generally – united. Even though he has yet to win a major trophy as a manager, he has turned Spurs into a major force in England and that has won admirers across Europe, notably Florentino Perez, president of Real Madrid.

At 46, he remains a manager with plenty of room for improvement, and the hierarchy remain hugely impressed by what he has achieved – despite Saturday’s result. The feeling at Spurs is that even though this has been another season without a trophy, they deserve huge credit if they secure a third consecutive top-four finish and a place in next season’s Champions League.

The club appreciate the way Pochettino has managed the season at Wembley, turning it from a place the players feared to play into a venue where they have lost only twice in the Premier League.

Despite his obvious ability, Pochettino may need to reflect on his approach to the FA Cup, in which his judgement – usually excellent – has been poor. He has consistently said that winning the competition “would not change the life” of the club, a view that was not shared by the players or the supporters. If it is good enough for Manchester United, why not Tottenham?

Sometimes, it is better to forget your principles, forget disagreements, and pick your best XI. Do the thing that will unsettle your opponents. Which names would Jose Mourinho have preferred to see on the Spurs team sheet on Saturday? Michel Vorm and Davinson Sanchez, who were chosen by Pochettino? Or Lloris and Alderweireld, who were left on the bench?

After the game, Pochettino was at it again, suggesting he may use the Cup next season to give experience to younger players. What an odd tone to strike after missing another good chance to win a trophy.

Pochettino has so much promise, but a few rough edges need smoothing before he reaches full maturity. Levy and Tottenham hope desperately that he does so with them.