Mauricio Pochettino has laid down the challenge to Tottenham to push their way into the top four next season.

Spurs overhauled Liverpool on the final day of the season to finish in fifth spot courtesy of their win over Everton at Goodison Park.

It means that Pochettino has improved on last season’s sixth-place finish in his debut season at White Hart Lane and he is immediately targeting another jump forward next time around.

“It is important to finish the season in a good way and a good position. It is very important for the club. This is our first season at Tottenham. It was difficult but I’m very happy,” he said.

“We need to keep calm. It was important to improve on last season; we were sixth and now we are fifth.”

Spurs failed to muster a sustained challenge for the top four this term, with a heavy defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford in March arguably the turning point in their pursuit of an elusive Champions League return.

Pochettino is under no illusions that they will need to get closer to the leading quartet in his second season in north London.

“Playing for the top four is not easy, but we want to be ambitious and prepare for next and try to fight for the top four,” he said.

Pochettino refused to elaborate on his summer transfer plans but says it is important the club has a clear vision of where it would like to go.

“The important thing is that we have clear ideas with our plan and we need to deliver now,” he added.