LONDON -- Mauricio Pochettino has revealed he suffered a sleepless night after meeting Sir Alex Ferguson, describing the experience as "fantastic" and "very emotional."
Tottenham manager Pochettino and his assistant Jesus Perez had lunch with the former Manchester United boss, who is still a director and ambassador at Old Trafford, at Scott's restaurant in Mayfair, London, on Tuesday.
Spurs privately said they were aware of the meeting, and that it was a social occasion, and any speculation about Pochettino's future was quickly squashed when the Argentine, 45, signed a new five-year contract on Thursday.
Pochettino revealed he arranged the lunch with Ferguson at the League Managers' Association (LMA) dinner on March 14 and said he learnt a lot in the two hours he spent with the 74-year-old, who he described as an "inspiration or a big reference."
"It was difficult for me to sleep in the night because it was fantastic to meet him. We laughed a lot because when I was at Espanyol, I remember the media saying: 'Maybe Pochettino will be the new Ferguson.' When you remember all that, and afterwards you have him in front of you, it is very emotional," Pochettino told a news conference.
"When we met him at the LMA president's dinner, we had a short chat and we both said, and Jesus, it will be good to meet one day when there is a possibility, and take a lunch.
"I do not want to disclose many things. I don't want to use that. It is true the paparazzi took the pictures and it was not secret. But I learnt a lot. It was two hours and it was very emotional. It was fantastic. Every word, every sentence he told us was a big lesson.
"I have met with different managers in my career, but Ferguson was always special and different for 26 years at the same club, a club like Manchester United.
"To be honest both of us were interested to know each other. It was fantastic to hear him, to listen, to hear him speak about football, and about life. [We spoke about] many things but you can understand it was a private lunch and to keep private.
"I invited him to come here [Hotspur Way, Tottenham's training centre] and he would like to come. I think it is fantastic."
Asked if Ferguson had helped him become a better manager, Pochettino said: "Of course, of course. You can read, you buy things, but [you can't buy] experience with people with great charisma and personality. You can read a book, but when he is in front of you with the charisma and the personality, you understand why he is Sir Alex Ferguson."
Pochettino joked that Perez had paid for the lunch before revealing he and Ferguson had both had a glass of wine, a 2011 Italian Brunello di Montalcino -- priced at £114 per bottle in Scott's.
"We had a very good glass. But only one. Jesus had three. It is true," he added.
Last month, Pochettino made the ambitious claim that he would like to emulate Ferguson's 26 years at Old Trafford, during which the Scot won 38 trophies including 13 Premier league titles.
However, he admitted it would be difficult for him to have the same level of control at Tottenham as Ferguson enjoyed at United, even though his new deal saw his job title change from head coach to manager.
"Today football has changed and moved on. It is more specific, the job. But you need to coordinate all. For success, you need to coordinate, not just focus on the game," Pochettino added.
"You are head coach, you manage your side, but you need to sign players for your style, take care of the financial side, understand the financial side. I could go to [Tottenham chairman] Daniel Levy and say I want Leo Messi. He will say 'you are crazy, we don't have money enough to bring him.' For me it is important. For me the word manager represents better my job than head coach."
