Former Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino has made his feelings clear about returning to the club after Ange Postecoglou’s departure.
Postecoglou, 59, was sacked by Spurs just 16 days after winning the Europa League with a 1-0 win against Manchester United in Bilbao, Spain, in May.
The Australian released a statement on June 6, which read: “The opportunity to lead one of England's historic football clubs and bring back the glory it deserves will live with me for a lifetime."
Several coaches have since been linked with the vacant position, with Brentford’s Thomas Frank, Fulham’s Marco Silva, Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola and Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner among the contenders.
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However, Pochettino’s return to North London would certainly whet the appetite of most Spurs supporters.
As things stand, the Argentine is head coach of the USMNT and is set to lead them in their home World Cup next summer – Mexico and Canada will also host matches.
But could he return to Spurs instead?
Well, he gave his thoughts when speaking at a press conference earlier today.
"Today it's not realistic," said Pochettino.
"I think, since I left in 2019, my name has always been on the list [of rumours].
"I've seen the rumours, we are 100 coaches on the list. Don't be worried about that.
"If something happens [in the future], you for sure will see, but I am so happy in this moment and we cannot talk about this type of thing."
The 53-year-old then said the rumours were only there because “it is my club” as he left the presser.
Pochettino spent five years at Spurs, consistently competing in the Champions League – reaching the final in 2019 - and at the upper end of the Premier League before he left during the winter of the 2019/20 campaign.
He has since coached Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea before departing the Blues in May 2024.
Then, in September of that year, he was appointed as head coach of the USMNT.
Currently, Pochettino’s side are in a torrid run of form and have lost their last three international fixtures, with the latest defeat coming in the form of a 2-1 loss against Turkey on Saturday (June 7).
However, the former Premier League manager remains optimistic about next summer’s tournament.
“We need to believe,” Pochettino said after the match. "We need to compete like today, and for sure we’re going to have the possibility to win the World Cup.”
He added: “Today, who is going to tell me, oh, we showed lack of, we showed lack of — lack of what today?”
Topics: Mauricio Pochettino, Tottenham Hotspur, Ange Postecoglou, Football, Premier League
Luke Davies