by Our Sports Desk

Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed Tottenham head coach, leaving Southampton to pen a five-year deal at White Hart Lane.

The former Argentina international’s stock has risen markedly since his  appointment at St Mary’s in January 2013.

Having arrived in English football a relative unknown, former Espanyol boss Pochettino’s possession-based, attacking game and focus on home-grown talent has impressed, as have his on-field results.

Saints managed their best-ever Premier League finish last season but, after months of speculation, will be now looking for a new manager after Pochettino signed a deal until 2019 to succeed Tim Sherwood in north London.

“This is a club with tremendous history and prestige and I am honoured to have been given this opportunity to be its head coach,” Pochettino said.

“There is an abundance of top-class talent at the club and I am looking forward to starting work with the squad.

“Tottenham Hotspur has a huge following across the world and I have great admiration for the passion the fans show for this team.

“We are determined to give the supporters the kind of attacking football and success that we are all looking to achieve.”

Pochettino will be charged with securing Spurs a top-four finish by chairman Daniel Levy after a disappointing campaign, in which a flurry of summer signings failed to gel.

“In Mauricio I believe we have a head coach who, with his high energy, attacking football, will embrace the style of play we associate with our club,” Levy said.