Mauricio Pochettino has ruled out ever managing Barcelona due to his history with their crosstown rivals Espanyol. 

Pochettino was linked to Barcelona's upcoming managerial vacancy when Luis Enrique announced his departure.

Pochettino was spotted in a bar in Barcelona with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu, which reignited links to the job.

“It was a coincidence in a bar in Barcelona last Tuesday,” Pochettino said. “I know him [Bartomeu] for a long time – before he became chairman of Barcelona. Our children went to the same school in Barcelona. We spent five minutes together. That was the reality. After that, you know the rumour is impossible to stop.

“But I am an Espanyol supporter. I think I don’t think I need to speak too much. It’s like if one day, [the Tottenham chairman] Daniel Levy sacked me – in a few years it would be impossible for me to manage Arsenal.

“In football, I know it is so difficult to keep your values and to be loyal – with your heart, with your emotion. But, for me, before being a manager, before being a player, being loyal is more important. I am an Espanyol fan.

“I love Espanyol. It’s like Tottenham for me now. It will be impossible, one day, to move to Arsenal. It will be impossible.”