Mauricio Pochettino Dismisses Speculation About a Tottenham Return Following Defeat in the USA

USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino has downplayed speculation linking him to the vacant managerial role at his former club, Tottenham Hotspur, following the dismissal of Ange Postecoglou on Friday.

The Argentine was at the helm of Spurs for five years starting in 2014, guiding the team to the Champions League final, yet he never clinched a trophy during his tenure in North London.

Although Pochettino signed a two-year contract in September to manage the USA as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup—co-hosted with Canada and Mexico—his name has nonetheless surfaced in betting markets as a preferred candidate for the Spurs position, according to various reports from the UK.

During a post-match press conference on Saturday, held after the USA’s 2-1 home friendly loss to Turkey, Pochettino addressed the speculation.

“Since I left in 2019, whenever the manager’s position at Tottenham Hotspur has been open, my name pops up on the list,” Pochettino remarked.

“If you’ve noticed the rumours, there are about 100 coaches in the mix. I wouldn’t worry about that,” he continued.

The manager has previously expressed his enduring fondness for Spurs and has never entirely dismissed the notion of returning to the club someday.

However, he indicated that the timing is not quite right for a reunion with his old side.

“If something were to happen, you would definitely see, but we can’t discuss these matters because right now, it’s not realistic. Just look at where I am and where we are,” he said in the press room at the stadium in Hartford, Connecticut.

“The answer seems clear, doesn’t it? We’re discussing this because it’s my club, just like Newell’s or Espanyol,” he added.

Postecoglou was let go just 16 days after he helped Tottenham end a 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League.

He led the club to a 1-0 triumphant match against Manchester United in Bilbao, securing Spurs’ first European title in 41 years and a spot in next season’s Champions League.

The former Celtic manager faced the axe due to Tottenham’s poorest domestic season since their relegation from the top division in 1976-77.

The USA has now suffered three consecutive defeats, with losses to Panama and Canada in March’s CONCACAF Nations League, yet Pochettino remained positive about his team’s encouraging performance despite concerns regarding their attitude in recent matches.

“This is the attitude I want to maintain as we move forward to the World Cup… that’s the only way we can progress,” he stated.

“If I decide in September to have a different squad, I expect the same level of commitment and attitude, without complaints about this or that,” he added.