Bayern Munich targeting Tottenham’s Mauricio Pochettino?

Per a report by SportBild, Bayern Munich sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has targeted Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino as a potential replacement for Jupp Heynckes. In fact, Salihamidzic has went as far as pushing Bayern chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and team president Uli Hoeness to start taking a closer look at the Argentinian.

The reality of getting Pochettino, however, is easier said than done as he is under contract with Tottenham through 2021 and is valued by club management.

Spurs President Daniel Levy has no intention of letting him go. Without a two-digit fee for the coach, he is not ready to negotiate anyway.

Pochettino, who does not speak German, would seemingly miss checking that all-important box for Bayern, but perhaps the management team in Munich would be willing to overlook that for an up-and-coming coaching talent like the 46-year old.

Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images

The Argentinian, a former center back during his 18-year playing career, spent time primarily with Espanyol, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bordeaux during his playing days. Pochettino also represented Argentina in the 2002 World Cup.

Rumors started to swirl last week with a report from SkySport that Bayern could be taking a close look at Pochettino, which would be a move counter to previous thoughts that Die Roten was looking for a German manager to lead the club if Heynckes departs.

An aspect of Pochettino’s coaching that probably give Bayern a level of comfort is his high-pressing, attacking style that has helped add further luster to Harry Kane’s star. Pochettino favors a very “German” style of coaching where he wants to build from the back and apply constant pressure to the opposition. In addition, Pochettino typically favors a 4-2-3-1 formation that would fit the skill-set of the Bayern roster.

With Heynckes seeming wavering on his once concrete stance of riding off into the sunset after this season and Thomas Tuchel lingering about as a primary candidate, there are still many different scenarios that could play out before Bayern is ready to name a new coach.