Tottenham stars fear Mauricio Pochettino is seeking exit after becoming distant this season… but club WON’T sack £32m boss.

Tottenham players fear manager Mauricio Pochettino is looking for a way out of the north London club.

Sources have told Sportsmail that the Argentine has become noticeably distant at the club’s training centre since returning this summer.

After Tuesday’s humiliating 7-2 defeat by Bayern Munich — the first time the club have ever conceded seven at home — Pochettino stressed the importance for the club to stick together. However, his mood has led players to feel their manager is having doubts over his future.Pochettino has a good relationship with most of his squad but sources indicated that the manager is less visible at training, even watching some sessions from indoors.

The 47-year-old led Spurs to the Champions League final last season. But some of the squad have noticed a change in their manager since returning from their summer break.

There is no danger of Pochettino losing his job despite the club’s disappointing start to the season. Tottenham having to pay £32million to sack him is a key reason his job is safe — although the club could recoup that if he was poached by another club.The turmoil engulfing the club took a bizarre twist on Wednesday when Christian Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen used social media to deny rumours that Vertonghen had an affair with Eriksen’s partner.

There is a degree of confusion from some players about some of Pochettino’s tactical changes this season, while Sportsmail also understands there has been unease at his treatment of certain players.

Vertonghen, a highly influential squad member, Eriksen and Dele Alli have all been dropped at various points.