Following the recent dismissal of Ange Postecoglou from Tottenham Hotspur, speculation has emerged regarding a potential return of Mauricio Pochettino to the North London club. However, Pochettino himself has downplayed these rumors, stating that such a move is "not realistic" at the present time.
Pochettino, who is currently managing the United States men's national team (USMNT), signed a two-year contract in September 2024 with the aim of leading the team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. He has publicly acknowledged the rumors linking him to Tottenham, a club where he previously spent five years (2014-2019), but has emphasized his commitment to his current role with the USMNT.
"After I left in 2019, every time that I was free, and the place of the position of the manager or head coach in Tottenham Hotspur, my name is appearing on the list," Pochettino said. "If you have seen the rumors, I think there are 100 coaches on the list. I think, don't be worried about that. If something happened, you for sure you will see, but we cannot talk about this type of thing, because I think today, it's not real. It's not realistic. And look at where I am, where we are. And the thing is, the answer is so clear, no? But we're talking about it because it's my club, like Newells or Espanyol."
Several factors contribute to the unlikelihood of Pochettino's immediate return to Tottenham. Firstly, he is under contract with U.S. Soccer, and Tottenham would need to pay a significant compensation package to release him from his duties. Reports suggest that this compensation could be one of the largest in football history. Secondly, Pochettino appears focused on the challenge of managing the USMNT, particularly with the upcoming World Cup on home soil.
Despite Pochettino's commitment to the USMNT, the allure of a return to Tottenham remains strong for both the manager and the club's supporters. During his previous tenure, Pochettino transformed Tottenham into a consistent top-four team, reaching the Champions League final in 2019. He boasts the highest win percentage of any manager in the club's history.
While a summer comeback seems improbable, with Pochettino preparing to lead the USMNT into their home World Cup, a return to Tottenham in the future cannot be ruled out. Pochettino himself has admitted that he would like to return to the club one day. "When I left the club I always remember one interview I said I would like one day to come back to Tottenham," Pochettino said. "I am in the USA, so I am not going to talk about that now - but what I said then I still, after six years or five years, feel in my heart. Yes, I would like one day to come back."
In the meantime, Tottenham is considering other candidates for the managerial position, with Brentford's Thomas Frank, Fulham's Marco Silva, and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola among those reportedly being considered.
