Mauricio Pochettino - The Real Madrid target that hates Barcelona

The 46-yeear-old spent 10 seasons with Barca's bitter Catalan rivals Espanyol during his playing career, before four more as a manager helping him develop a certain distaste for the Catalonian superpower.

Now, Pochettino is the heavy favourite to asusme a role that in many ways he has been alining himself for during his entire managerial career to date.

As recently as January, Pochettino told the press how he "would rather work on my farm in Argentina than manage Barcelona", a comment that is likely to endear him to Madrid fans in the event of a move.

"I would never train Barcelona or Arsenal because I am tied to Tottenham. I grew up at Newell's and I would never train Rosario Central. This is my decision. I would prefer to work on my farm in Argentina than to go and work in certain places," Pochettino explained to the press.

The former Argentina international does not shy away from media scrutiny, as shown on Friday when he faced the press amid rumours of a move to the Bernabeu.

Whilst Real Madrid supposedly remain keen on Pochettino and with the Spurs boss said to been on a move it should be a straightforward deal, but as is so often the case in football, it isn't.

The main sticking point is Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, a tough negotiatiator who is renowned for his hard-line stance when negotiating transfers.

However, with Pochettino aware that he is unlikely to get too many chances to take the reins at a club the side of Real Madrid, Pochettino is not willing to let this one pass him by, despite having only signed a new five-year deal last week.

Should he touch down in the Spanish capital, the groundwork is already done for him to be an instant hit with the Madrid fans. "I don't identify with their (Barcelona's) values, it's simple," Pochettino told 'El Chiringuito' just a matter of months ago.

After a fruitful, albeit trophyless spell with Tottenham, the Real Madrid job would represent a significant step up for Pochettino, but at least he will share the club's deep hatred of their most bitter rival