Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino admits he would “relish” the opportunity to manage England having helped to shape their squad down the years.
The Argentine arrived in the Premier League as an unknown quantity, having spent much of his playing days and early managerial career in Spain with Espanyol.
He was, however, able to impress at Southampton, earning him a switch to Spurs in 2014.
Pochettino is now widely regarded as one of the finest tactical brains in the business and has revealed that he could put those attributes to good use with England at some stage in the future.
He said in a book focusing on Tottenham’s title challenge in 2016-17, which is being serialised by the Daily Mail: "If I were to be an international manager one day, I'd relish the opportunity to coach the England national team.
"I've heard that I've been considered for the job before, but I don't know if there was any truth in it.
"I'd be reunited with loads of familiar faces - Harry Kane, Danny Rose, Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Adam Lallana.''
Those are just some of the names that Pochettino has helped to introduce to the England fold.
While at Southampton, Rickie Lambert, Fraser Forster, Jay Rodriguez and Luke Shaw were all handed their Three Lions bows.
At Spurs, Kieran Tripper, Ryan Mason and Harry Winks have joined Kane, Alli and Dier on the international stage.
"Of the last 21, 17 have played under me,” added Pochettino.
"Eleven regulars in the England squad made their debuts under my stewardship.
"The English are brave, honest and aggressive and the good ones want to add to their game.''
With Gareth Southgate currently at the England helm, Tottenham will be hoping that any potential opening for Pochettino remains some way off.
Club chairman Daniel Levy has already announced that he is hoping to see the South American become Spurs’ answer to Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson – who spent 27 years at Old Trafford.