LONDON -- Mauricio Pochettino has guaranteed he will still be Tottenham Hotspur's manager next season, insisting there is no buyout clause in his contract.
The Spurs boss has been linked with Inter Milan as a replacement for Stefano Poli, who was sacked last week, and reports in Italy have claimed there is a €5 million buyout clause in the Argentine's contract.
But, responding to the rumours, Pochettino told a news conference: "No buyout clause in my contract. I will stay here next season. Many, many rumours but I have a commitment with Tottenham and no reason to leave the club. I will stay here, don't worry. I'll be here on July 3 for preseason. You'll see, I'll be here. Don't worry."
Pochettino also promised that Spurs would only sell the players they want to in the summer and said the club would strengthen the squad, warning that the Premier League runners-up cannot afford to stand still.
Dele Alli has refused to guarantee if he will stay Spurs next season, while Kyle Walker has been linked with a big-money move to Manchester City.
"All the players that we want to stay here next season will stay and maybe some the players we have offers for and we decide to sell," Pochettino said. "That is our decision. All the players are in contract with the club -- always it will be a club decision to keep or sell the players.
"Everyone has a contract. We have the same opinion about all. We'll decide when we finish the season. Maybe some players gone, some others arrive, some other players stay. It's natural -- every season, every summer, something happens with every club."
Alli has claimed that Spurs' squad is already good enough to win next season's title but Pochettino warned: "I'm happy with that perception from our players. But when you're second, you need to improve, to win.
"Next season will be completely different. All our enemies and opponents will try to improve their squad. I understand what he wants to say but always in life you cannot stay happy with what you're doing now -- you always need to improve, improve, improve.
"For us, it's the same. During the summer, we need to inspire them, motivate or push further in our performance. To find a different way to play, improve our mentality and then to add more quality if we're capable of finding a player who can help us next season to play better, to compete better."
Pochettino will be without right-backs Kieran Trippier (concussion) and Kyle Walker (ankle) for Thursday's visit to Leicester, while Danny Rose (knee) underwent surgery on Tuesday, joining Harry Winks (ankle) and Erik Lamela (hip) as a long-term absentee.
The manager revealed that Mousa Dembele (foot) is currently playing through the pain barrier, saying: "He's struggling with his foot. We'll see what happens after Sunday. It's OK but maybe not in his best interest to play 90 minutes. He is careful to stay available and help the team and we appreciate what he is doing."