Pochettino plans to extend Tottenham stay with new contract

LONDON (AP) - Mauricio Pochettino plans to extend his Tottenham contract until 2021.

The Argentine, who arrived at Tottenham on a five-year contract in 2014, announced on Friday he has verbally agreed to a new five-year deal.

"We started to speak before, a few months ago, and today I think is a good moment to communicate we have reached the verbal agreement," Pochettino said.

"It was an easy decision when you feel the love of the people and the potential of the club is massive, so why change? We create a good atmosphere on the training ground, and we can achieve big things in the future. I believe in this project and this club. I want to stay here."

The 44-year-old former Southampton manager was Tottenham's fifth appointment in seven years when he took charge in May 2014, and he has nurtured a talented team which is on the brink of Champions League qualification.

Tottenham is second in the English Premier League, seven points behind leader Leicester with three games remaining. Tottenham has qualified for the Champions League once before, by finishing fourth in 2010.

The north London club is also due to move into a new 61,000-seat stadium in two years.

"Tottenham have unbelievable potential. We created after two years here a great group of players," Pochettino said. "We have a very strong squad, young, with potential to be a top team."