Tottenham Hotspur may have been handed a huge boost in their bid to bring their former manager Mauricio Pochettino back to the club this week...

What's the word?

According to Duncan Castles, the Argentine is not Real Madrid's top target to replace Zinedine Zidane at the Bernabeu, which means that Spurs have one less problem to worry about if they are to secure his sensational return to north London.

Speaking on a recent episode of 'The Transfer Window' podcast, the Sunday Times journalist revealed: "It’s not clear to me - from what I’m hearing from Madrid - that he’s the preferred candidate to take that job for them any longer.

"They watched what happened towards the end [of his spell] at Tottenham and what’s happened in Paris, and we all know that it’s easy for a coach’s status on the market, in the space of one job and one season of performance in a job, and I think that’s where Pochettino is at the moment."

The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke first revealed Spurs' interest in Pochettino on Thursday, claiming that chairman Daniel Levy had held talks with the Paris Saint-Germain boss and that the 49-year-old was even open to returning to Spurs.

However, doubts quickly arose after the La Liga club were mooted with the Lilywhites' fan favourite by Goal, who claimed that he was their first-choice option.

Pochettino has previously suggested that it would be a "dream" to manage Los Galacticos one day, so their interest will always cause some considerable concern among the N17 faithful.

A big boost?

This fresh claim should certainly come as rather exciting news for supporters, as many have struggled to contain their desperation to see their former coach return to the club as Jose Mourinho's successor.

As revealed by This is Futbol, several members of the Lilywhites faithful have displayed their excitement over the news that Pochettino could come back to the club. One fan likened it to "Christmas Eve", another dubbed it a "madness" and a further supporter claimed to be "salivating uncontrollably".

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Now that Real Madrid do not appear to be in the running, this will only bolster the Spurs fans' hopes and dreams even more, as it's one obstacle which is no longer blocking a return from happening. Instead, it will now be on Levy to do whatever he can to secure the former Southampton man's services.

Pochettino is currently under contract at the Parc des Princes until the summer of 2022, with an option of a further year, and it's thought that the Ligue 1 giants have no intention of letting him go.

That is perhaps the biggest hurdle standing in Tottenham's way, although it should come as pleasing news to many that they do not have to battle Champions League-bound Real Madrid as well.

As a result, Castles' latest update is an exciting development in Spurs' quest to fill their vacant managerial role. The door has opened for Levy to strike but can he do it? Only time will tell.

AND in other news, Bye-bye Kane: Levy must seal Spurs swoop for 40-cap gem dubbed "very talented" by Pochettino...