Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino expects a hostile reception upon his return to Southampton.

Saints fans are still angered by his decision to leave for White Hart Lane last summer.

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."