Former Tottenham defender Stephen Kelly has told his former side they must back Mauricio Pochettino in this summer's transfer window, or face losing him.
The Argentine guided the north London club to their first ever Champions League final last season and has established Spurs as one of the leading names in European football since taking the reigns at White Hart Lane in the summer of 2014 - despite not being able to spend any money in the last two transfer windows.
And Kelly believes that must change this summer, as both Manchester United and Real Madrid - who have been linked the Argentine - will soon be back sniffing around the 47-year-old.
"From a Tottenham point of view, for his longevity at the club, will mean him needing to win something for him to want to stay there,” Kelly told talkSPORT.
“His stock is getting higher and higher and higher and it’s going to be harder for them to keep hold of him because people will come knocking on the door.
“The opportunities are gone now for like Real Madrid and Man U but they will come back around.
“If he’s still rising up that ladder, there will be teams interested.
“He’s been extremely loyal and Tottenham have been loyal to him.
“But now they need to try and give him funding, allow him to improve the squad, create competition.
“They have a great squad but it’s creating competition to get players to raise their game more, which I think is important.
“But for him they want a trophy, they need a trophy.
“They came so close last season and to get to the Champions League final was a huge stepping stone because they’ve always been nearly there.
“To get to a final was almost like winning the trophy in that sense.”
Keep up to date with the latest Tottenham Hotspur news, features and exclusives from football.london via our free WhatsApp service .
Text NEWS to 07776197989 and then add the number to your phone contacts book as spurs dot london (case sensitive, with spaces) to receive daily updates and breaking news from Alasdair Gold and the team on Spurs.
Your phone number won't be shared with any other members of the group. Click here for more information on the service.