Mauricio Pochettino's dilemma: Manchester United, Real Madrid or stay at Spurs? The cases for and against

Tottenham

Squad quality

Mauricio Pochettino has built up a strong squad at Spurs since taking over four years ago, but it looks a little light after the summer's inactivity.

Compared to Real Madrid and Manchester United, it is also a squad that lacks star quality. 7/10

Potential for success

Pochettino's young squad is rich in potential, full of players who should be reaching their peak in the next few years. 8/10

Freedom from off-the-pitch distractions

The lack of transfer funds available has been an issue, while the saga over the new stadium has been dragging on for far too long. 5/10

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Chance of building a legacy

High. Pochettino is the third longest-serving manager in the Premier League, and is surely as secure in his job as any manager in Europe. He has the chance to become an all-time Tottenham great if he can start adding trophies to the team's considerable improvement. 10/10

Club's ambition

It's unclear whether the Spurs board are content with Champions League qualification or if they will make the sort of investments required to elevate Tottenham to the next level. 7/10

Total

37/50

Most compelling reason to say yes

With Spurs finally moving to their new stadium in the new year and entering a more even financial footing with their rivals, Pochettino and Tottenham are poised to make a major breakthrough.

Most compelling reason to say no

Chairman Daniel Levy's naturally parsimonious instincts and Tottenham's smaller status compared with Real Madrid and United could see the club fail to match Pochettino's ambitions.

Real Madrid

Squad quality

Cristiano Ronaldo's departure and a lack of a proper replacement has weakened Real considerably, but in Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric and Isco there is still a formidable spine. 8/10

Potential for success

Marco Asensio has not quite developed as hoped, but he is still only 22, and players like Toni Kroos, Isco and Raphael Varane still have plenty of years in front of them. 8/10

Freedom from off-the-pitch distractions

All manner of issues could put Pochettino off. Real continue to delay their plan to renovate the Bernabeu, president Florentino Perez is running the club at a huge loss, and there is a long history of sacking managers if they do not achieve instant success. 4/10

Chance of building a legacy

Small. A Real manager has not lasted more than three years since Vicente del Bosque, who was sacked just weeks after winning La Liga in 2003. Real have employed 15 managers in the 15 years since. 5/10

Club's ambition

Real have won the Champions League three years in a row, and in four of the last five seasons. Anything else is deemed as a major disappointment. The only question mark over their ambition - and it is a big one - is whether the club has the money available to continue to attract the very best to the Bernabeu. 9/10

Total

34/50

Most compelling reason to say yes

The prestige of Real Madrid is unmatched by any club on the planet. Very few players or managers turn them down.

Most compelling reason to say no

Perez's meddling and the ongoing off-the-field volatility would be in huge contrast to the freedom and trust Pochettino is given at Spurs.

Manchester United

Squad quality

Nowhere near as bad as Jose Mourinho was at pains to suggest, though lack of mobility and need for a world-class centre-back are obvious issues. 7/10

Potential for success

In Marcus Rashford, Jesse Lingard and Luke Shaw there are young, English players coming through who if properly nurtured could form the nucleus of the team for a number of years. Under-performing stars like Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez would also give United a huge lift if they can re-discover anything like their best form. 8/10

Freedom from off-the-pitch distractions

One potential issue here is that Pochettino's most recent Spurs contract saw him change his job title from head coach to manager as a sign of his growing autonomy. Were he to move to United he would have to adapt to working under the director of football that United are planning on  bringing in. 6/10

Chance of building a legacy

In theory, reasonably high if he is successful early on. United long for the days of the stability under Sir Alex Ferguson, and resisted sacking David Moyes and Louis van Gaal until the situation was clearly untenable. 8/10

Club's ambition

Suspicions linger that the club are mainly focused on their commercial revenues, while the Glazers seem far more interested in personal gain than winning trophies. 7/10

Total

36/50

Most compelling reason to say yes

A far bigger transfer budget than what he is used to at Tottenham coupled with United's history and prestige give Pochettino a major dilemma.

Most compelling reason to say no

United's absent owners and Ed Woodward's frequently bungled transfer attempts could prevent Pochettino from being given the platform he needs to succeed.