Pochettino was sacked after losing Tottenham dressing room (Mail)

Mauricio Pochettino was sensationally sacked on Tuesday night after the Argentine lost the Tottenham dressing room.

Sportsmail revealed on Tuesday how the Argentine was on the brink of leaving Spurs following the club's poor start to the season that has left them in 14th place, 11 points adrift of Manchester City in fourth.

And Tottenham confirmed Pochettino's shock departure at around 7.30pm, bringing the curtain down on a largely successful five-and-a-half year reign.

According to numerous sources on Tuesday night, Jose Mourinho has emerged as a surprise contender to replace Pochettino. Mourinho would certainly want the opportunity to replace Pochettino.

As Sportsmail reported, talks regarding Pochettino's exit took place last week but those discussions came to an impasse over the financial terms of his departure.

The South American is understood to be entitled to a £12.5million pay-off if he was sacked.

But it is understood discussions over Pochettino's impending departure recommenced on Monday with all parties reaching an agreement allowing news of the manager's departure to be confirmed.

'The Club can today announce that Mauricio Pochettino and his coaching staff Jesus Perez, Miguel D'Agostino and Antoni Jimenez have been relieved of their duties,' the statement read.

Chairman, Daniel Levy, said: 'We were extremely reluctant to make this change and it is not a decision the Board has taken lightly, nor in haste.

'Regrettably domestic results at the end of last season and beginning of this season have been extremely disappointing.

'It falls to the Board to make the difficult decisions - this one made more so given the many memorable moments we have had with Mauricio and his coaching staff - but we do so in the Club's best interests.

'Mauricio and his coaching staff will always be part of our history. I have the utmost admiration for the manner in which he dealt with the difficult times away from a home ground whilst we built the new stadium and for the warmth and positivity he brought to us. I should like to thank him and his coaching staff for all they have contributed. They will always be welcome here.

'We have a talented squad. We need to re-energise and look to deliver a positive season for our supporters.' The news of Pochettino's sacking came as a shock to the players, who were left completely in the dark regarding their manager's impending fate until it was confirmed.

Players were aware that a change maybe on the horizon and were privately discussing the prospect of Pochettino leaving.

Nonetheless, the squad were left flabbergasted on Tuesday night as Spurs released their statement.

But Sportsmail can reveal what was perceived as a growing disconnect between the players and Pochettino was one of the key reasons behind the club's decision.

One very well placed source said: 'Mauricio had lost the dressing room. It's like they have just grown apart.' Likewise, the relationship between Levy and Pochettino had deteriorated so significantly over the past few months that the club had no choice but to sack the latter.

Pochettino was disappointed with the club's transfer activity during the summer transfer window, particularly the failed attempts to sell Eric Dier and Danny Rose, and his relationship with Levy has not recovered.

Moving forward, Mourinho, Eddie Howe, Julian Nagelsmann and Carlo Ancelotti are all early contenders to replace Pochettino.

Mourinho, in theory, does not fit the mould of manager Tottenham are looking for.

It is understood Tottenham favour someone who has a proven track record with improving players, rather than one who has a reputation for spending heavily in the transfer market.

Despite their emergence as one of the Champions League's most consistent performers, Tottenham still work to a strict budget in comparison to rival clubs.

And Sportsmail understands the club have no intention of significantly loosening the pursestrings for their new manager.

Indeed, Pochettino arrived from in 2014 having nurtured a reputation of improving squads without having spent heavily on new players during his managerial spells at Espanyol and Southampton.

Spurs would prefer someone in the same mould as they consider potential successors.

But if Mourinho can convince Levy that he is prepared to work within the club's constraints then he will have a good chance.

The job description appears to strengthen the claims of Howe and Nagelsmann, both of whom are viewed as one of the best emerging coaches in Europe, to be serious contenders for the role.

However, sources in Germany on Tuesday suggested Nagelsmann is fully committed to Red Bull Leipzig and would not consider joining Spurs mid-way through the season.