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Mauricio Pochettino insists he is not expecting a special reception from Southampton supporters on his return to St Mary’s but claims any negativity towards him will not diminish his love for the club.
The 43-year-old left Saints after 18 months to take up the reins at Tottenham last summer and returns to the South Coast for the first time with just one point separating the two sides.
Pochettino replaced Nigel Adkins as coach in January 2013 with Southampton languishing just three points outside the relegation zone and steered them to safety before recording their highest-ever league finish in eight place last year.
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His successor, Ronald Koeman, is on course to surpass that feat having steered the club through a difficult summer having lost Pochettino and five key players.
Pochettino has previously said he left Koeman a “winning team” but is not anticipating a warm reception despite continuing to hold the club in high regard.
“I don't expect anything special,” he said. “It is up to the Southampton supporters what will happen on Saturday but it will not stop me loving the people at the club because in one-and-half-years I enjoyed a lot.
“It was one of the best periods of my life and my family and always love Southampton in my life. I am happy that Southampton is on the top and very happy because I love the people in Southampton and always wish the best but this is a different project [at Spurs] and one season of transition.
“I have a four year contract left and we try to build a good team and a strong team to try and fight for the top four next season.”
