Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino – a target for Real Madrid – was spotted leaving a London restaurant on Tuesday night shortly after David Beckham and Zinedine Zidane.

In pictures published by The Sun, the Argentine was seen wearing a navy puffer jacket and jeans as he left, with Beckham – who also brought along his old pal Dave Gardner – and Zidane leaving later.

It is understood that Real Madrid legends Beckham and Zidane enjoyed dinner together. Pochettino was not with them, but did come over to greet the pair. 

Mauricio Pochettino (left) was pictured leaving the same London restaurant as former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane (right) on Tuesday night

Ex-Real midfielder David Beckham enjoyed dinner with Zidane at Locanda Locatelli

Pochettino and his assistant manager Jesus Perez say farewell on Tuesday evening

It heightens fears from Spurs fans that their boss may be off this summer, with the Spanish giants considering a big appointment. Pochettino is at the top of their hitlist.

Another of Beckham’s former clubs Manchester United are also monitoring his situation, although their resurgence under caretaker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer means they may pull out of the race. 

Zidane has also been a target to take over at Old Trafford since Jose Mourinho’s sacking in December.

Zidane smiles as he leaves the restaurant in London in the rain on Tuesday evening 

Beckham leaves the restaurant after dining with Zidane and speaking to Pochettino

Pochettino and Beckham battling for the ball during their playing careers in an international tie

The Tottenham manager and Zidane embracing after a Champions League game in 2017

Pochettino’s assistant manager Jesus Perez was also pictured leaving the swanky Locanda Locatelli restaurant in central London.

Beckham and Zidane played alongside each other for three seasons between 2003 and 2006 at Real Madrid during the club’s ultimate Galactico era.

The pair have remained firm friends ever since, with Zidane managing Real to three back-to-back Champions League wins before quitting last summer.

Santiago Solari is currently in charge at the Bernabeu, although he is not expected to last beyond the end of the season.

Tottenham have managed to hold on to Pochettino since his arrival in 2014, during which time he has elevated them into Premier League title contenders and Champions League regulars.

The former Real boss has remained friends with Beckham since they played together

Tottenham face a significant battle to keep hold of manager Pochettino over the summer

They desperately want him to remain in charge next season when they will be running out in their new stadium.

However, it appears they face an increasing battle with Real Madrid for his services.

Spurs are believed to be more fearful of losing Pochettino to Real than they are United.

Asked in December whether he had grown tired of the chatter around him leaving, Pochettino said: ‘No, no. Why? This type of news I think does not upset or bore people. 

‘I prefer that newspapers talk about things like this than talk about “Tottenham is going to sack me” or “people are tired of me” or “we are in a difficult situation”.

‘Of course, if I choose one situation I choose this one. I am not bored of it, of course.’

The Argentine has previously joked about Daniel Levy being ‘concerned’ about him leaving

He signed a five-year contract in May and has publicly joked about chairman Daniel Levy being ‘concerned’ about him potentially departing.

‘Daniel does not laugh,’ he said. ‘I know it gets boring but he maybe is worried, he is concerned. It is normal. It is not nice for Daniel to hear all that history of course.

‘Do I have to reassure him? No. It is like in football when the sporting director or president says “No, the manager is going to be here and we trust in him” and next game… OUT. If you reassure something it is because you are thinking different things.

‘He is a worried man because he is jealous about me! It’s normal, no, because of the rumours.’ 

Italy coach Conor O’Shea has made two changes for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Wales.

Edoardo Padovani comes into the backline and Nicola Quaglio into the front row as Italy look to bounce back from their opening defeat to Scotland.

Padovani, who scored a try off the bench in the second half against Scotland, comes onto the right wing while Michele Campagnaro shifts back inside to his preferred position in the centre.

Edoardo Padovani to start against Wales after he scored a try off the bench in Scotland defeat

Nicola Quaglio replaces loosehead prop Andrea Lovotti, who has the flu, for Six Nations clash

That means Tommaso Castello drops out of the matchday 23, while Quaglio replaces loosehead prop Andrea Lovotti, who has the flu.

Italy team to play Wales in Rome on Saturday: J Hayward (Benetton), E Padovani (Zebre), M Campagnaro (Wasps), L Morisi (Benetton), Angelo Esposito (Benetton), Tommaso Allan (Benetton), Guglielmo Palazzani (Zebre); Nicola Quaglio (Benetton) Leonardo Ghiraldini (Toulouse), Simone Ferrari (Benetton), David Sisi (Zebre), Dean Budd (Benetton), Sebastian Negri (Benetton), Abraham Jurgens Steyn (Benetton), Sergio Parisse (Stade Francais, capt)

Replacements: Luca Bigi, Cherif Traore, Tiziano Pasquali, Federico Ruzza, Marco Barbini, Edoardo Gori, Ian McKinley, Tommaso Benvenuti (all Benetton).