Tottenham players fear Mauricio Pochettino exit as boss 'becomes distant'

Tottenham players fear Mauricio Pochettino is looking to leave the club after claims he has become 'distant' at training.

It has been reported that players have noticed a change in manager Pochettino since returning to training after last season's Champions League final defeat.

Spurs' poor start to the season has fuelled speculation this could prove to be Pochettino's last campaign at the club.

The Argentine having been frequently linked with Real Madrid - even though Zinedine Zidane is currently in charge at the Bernabeu - while at one stage last season he was favourite to be the next Manchester United manager.

Tottenham were thrashed 7-2 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Tuesday in the worst ever home defeat for an English club in European competition.

Mauricio Pochettino called for unity after the 7-2 Champions League humiliation by Bayern Munich on Tuesday (AFP/Getty Images)

And the latest twist in Spurs' unsettled season came when midfielder Christian Eriksen was forced to hit back at a false online rumour his wife had affair with his Tottenham team-mate Jan Vertonghen .

In the lead-up to last season's Champions League final defeat to Liverpool , Pochettino spoke of how he could quit Tottenham if the north Londoners won the competition, as it would be the culmination of a five-year project at the club since he took charge in 2014.

And speculation that he is set for the exit refuses to go away, with the Mail claiming to have been sold by sources that Pochettino has become noticeably more distant at training.

The publication says the manager has been less visible on the training ground, watching some sessions from indoors.

Jan Vertonghen and Christian Eriksen have both been dropped at times this season - and were also caught up in a false online rumour (PA)

It also claims some players have been confused by Pochettino's tactical changes this season, with Vertonghen, Eriksen and Delle Alli all having been dropped at times.

However, it is believed Tottenham will not sack Pochettino - partly because they would have to shell out £32million to pay off his contract.

However, if another club were to come in for him, they would receive compensation.

Spurs are already 10 points behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League, while in their opening Champions League clash they let a two-goal lead slip to draw 2-2 with Olympiakos.