Tottenham boss Pochettino has insisted he remains settled at Spurs having only signed a new five-year contract last month.
But the former Argentina defender has been installed as the bookies’ favourite to replace Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu, and has conceded it would be hard to ignore overtures from the 13-time European club champions.
After launching his book ‘A New World’ in Spain, Pochettino opened up on the possibility of Madrid’s interest in his services.
“When Real Madrid call you, you have to listen to them but it doesn’t depend on me,” Pochettino told Spanish newspaper El Confidencial.
“I’ve signed a contract and I’m very happy at Tottenham because they let me work and we’re growing together.
“Now I want to focus on planning for next season and keep out of all the speculation.”
Zidane explained his decision to leave Madrid less than a week after claiming a third Champions League title in a row as “time to go out at the top” in Thursday’s press conference.
Real’s LaLiga struggles, finishing third and 17 points behind fierce rivals Barcelona, no doubt factored in World Cup winner Zidane’s decision.
Pochettino quickly shot to the top of bookmakers’ lists for Zidane’s replacement, despite only signing that new deal with Spurs last week.
“I take it naturally, it does not affect me at all, I am involved in a spectacular project where the motivation is tremendous,” Pochettino told Spanish sports daily AS.
“I renewed my contract recently for another five years, I am happy that people at Tottenham are happy with me.
“I live in the present, that is the most important thing. I enjoy what is happening and what has to be will be.”
It is understood that there is no buy-out clause in Pochettino’s new Spurs deal, and no verbal agreement with chairman Daniel Levy that the 46-year-old could leave if Madrid come calling.
Zidane was understood to be under contract at Madrid until 2020, before quitting in the wake of guiding Real to their 3-1 Champions League final triumph over Liverpool.
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, Italian Maurizio Sarri and Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp have all been linked to Madrid, alongside Pochettino.
Germany boss Joachim Low meanwhile has ruled himself out of the running to become the next Real manager.
Low told a Germany press conference: “I can completely rule it out. I’m sure they will find a strong successor but that is not for me to worry about.
“I am here with Germany in the World Cup now.”
