The questions had to be asked but the questions were never going to be answered.
Mauricio Pochettino arrived ahead of schedule for his weekly Tottenham Hotspur press conference and would’ve been well aware what was coming for him after Tuesday morning’s news.
Jose Mourinho’s departure from Manchester United – and United’s decision to go with a caretaker until the end of the season – has seen Pochettino’s face as the perfect next permanent manager of a club in desperate need of a saviour.
So, rather than dive straight into the north London derby clash fixed for Wednesday night – it’s League Cup, don’t get too excited – the Argentine had to answer questions about the gig at Old Trafford.
He opened with a touch of class though to his “friend”.
“First of all, I want to send my best wishes to him. I feel so sorry, I know him well and have a very good relationship with him,” he said.
“It’s none of my business what has happened. I only want to send my best wishes.”
After that though, Pochettino was pushed on the fact that his name is being bandied about – even though he’s currently at a beautiful 16/1 price in some bookmakers.
Naturally, he wasn’t going to openly declare his interest for a job that won’t be advertised properly until the summer when he’s in the middle of Spurs’ best-ever start to a season and looks forward to a Champions League second round with Borussia Dortmund.
“I cannot answer this type of question,” he said when pressed about United.
“I respect a lot the opinion of everyone but it’s not my business what is happening there.
“I’m focused on this football club.”
