Sampdoria had reportedly agreed to meet the €1.5million release clause in Pochettino's contract.

Pochettino told Espanyol's official website: "I had offers but I will stay but I have rejected them, my heart lies here.

"My future has caused a lot of uncertainty and this is not good for the club or the fans.

"I want to be positive and participate in the changes we are making here because this club has great values. The objective is to build a squad that can compete in the Spanish league.

"The fans deserve to hear from the mouth of their coach what I am thinking. In the last few hours they have been worried, but I will only leave when the board and the fans don't believe in me.

"I believe this press conference will serve to show our strength and we are working as hard as possible to create a project that will excite the supporters."