Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino insists he has no desire to be popular among Southampton fans as he prepares for his first return to the south coast. The Argentine will be given a hostile reception at St Mary’s on Saturday, with Saints fans still angered by his decision to leave for White Hart Lane last summer. Southampton supporters are planning to show support for their Dutch manager Ronald Koeman, his brother and assistant head coach Erwin Koeman and fitness coach Jan Kluitenberg by wearing orange instead of the usual red and white club colours. Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is looking forward to his return to his former stomping ground . Pochettino (centre) decided to leave Southampton in order to take up the reins at Tottenham in the summer . But Pochettino claims he can handle any animosity on his return to Southampton . He said: ‘A bad reception? This is football. I don’t want to be popular. ‘Will I be upset? No, no. A lot of people love us and we love a lot of people in Southampton. ‘The people who know us from the club, and were close to us, they know how we are and how we were and we were very honest and very professional and that is difficult to explain for the normal people as they are not involved every day. ‘I want to be honest person and do my job. I understand the supporters. We need to accept that if they were upset because we took another way. ‘This is not easy for them and difficult to understand the decision. But the decision is done. We don’t need to explain. I never had an opportunity to explain but this is football. ‘The most important thing is that Southampton are on the top and having a great season and we are here and I am happy to be here and that is the best thing.’ Pochettino's reign at Southampton lasted just 18 months as he decided to leave the south coast club in May . The former Southampton boss admits he could be jeered on his return to St Mary's at the weekend .
Mauricio Pochettino returns to St Mary's for first time since his departure . The Argentine left Southampton in order to take up reins at Tottenham . Pochettino admits he could be jeered on return to former stomping ground .