Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino turned down the Real Madrid job due to fears of being labelled a mercenary, according to a report.

The Argentine was thought to be Madrid's number one choice to replace Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu following the Frenchman's shock resignation on May 31.

According to the Daily Mail, Pochettino was, for all intents and purposes, offered the vacant manager's job at the Bernabeu after discreet overtures from Real officials.

The report claims that the 46-year-old was tempted by the prospect of taking the Real reins but knew that leaving Spurs just days after penning a five-year contract extension would damage his reputation, given his prior emphasis on demanding loyalty from his players.

In addition, the report states that chairman Daniel Levy would have most likely rebuffed any approach from Spain, leaving Pochettino to force the issue if he wanted the Real job, and in the end, the coach decided that the blow to his credibility would have been too great.

Pochettino, who previously managed Espanyol and Southampton, has been with Spurs since 2014.