Pochettino was clearly downbeat on Sunday, after his side gave away a one-goal lead to crash out of the FA Cup 2-1 against Manchester United. He gave a press conference that was to be expected after a loss that means that he will end his fourth season in charge at the club without having won a single trophy.
However, the Argentinian made one particular comment that has garnered attention from some observers. "Tottenham need more time with me or with another," he said. "But the most important thing is to keep going and keep developing that philosophy that is fantastic for this club."
This highlighting of the fact that Tottenham's future may not contain him was repeated in various interviews, and according to New York Times Chief Football Correspondant Rory Smith, it could be Pochettino alluding to an exit from the club in summer.
Speaking with 'Sky Sports', the journalist stated that he didn't believe it was an accident from the Argentinian coach. "Pochettino has created a story by saying, and he said it more than once," Smith stated. "There is a general rule that if someone says something in a press conference it may be disappointment or frustration or a turn of phrase, especially with a foreign manager who is not speaking their native language."
"But if they say it more than once you assume they mean to say it. Pochettino said it to both broadcasters, domestic and international and then said it more than once in the press conference. So it is obviously something that is playing on his mind."
The chief correspondant continued by speculating over what Poch meant by his comments. "It hadn't even occurred to me that Pochettino might leave Tottenham," he said. "But because he kept mentioning it you have to think about it."
"You wonder whether he is starting to wonder whether he might have to move himself to take that final step. Or it may have been how upset he was at missing that chance, especially after starting so well.
"But it was a jarring thing to hear, one of those moments in a press conference that made your ears prick up a little bit."
If Pochettino does intend to leave in summer, he will not be short of offers. Despite his lack of trophies at Spurs, he has transformed the team's squad, and this has led to links with various clubs, with Real Madrid reportedly interested. Tottenham would be foolish to let the Argentine go.