Mauricio Pochettino once again sparked excitement among Tottenham fans last week when he reiterated his desire to one day return to the club. The former Spurs manager, who led the team to notable success between 2014 and 2019, has remained a popular figure among supporters. His latest comments have reignited discussions about a potential comeback, particularly as the future of current manager Ange Postecoglou appears uncertain.
Photos of Pochettino with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, which circulated widely on social media, only heightened the speculation. While the images were not recent, they intensified the longing for his return among fans still nostalgic for the Argentine’s tenure.
However, despite the public sentiment, a return to North London appears improbable in the short term. Pochettino’s commitment to his current role as head coach of the United States national team, coupled with significant financial obstacles, makes any imminent move unlikely.
Should Tottenham pursue Pochettino, the financial implications would be substantial. The United States Soccer Federation would require an enormous compensation fee if he were to leave before the 2026 World Cup, an amount reported to rival some of the largest managerial buyouts in football history.
For context, Chelsea’s acquisition of Graham Potter from Brighton and Bayern Munich’s signing of Julian Nagelsmann from RB Leipzig each commanded fees of around £21 million. Sources suggest the USSF’s demand for Pochettino’s release would exceed these figures significantly.
Pochettino, who earns approximately £4.6 million annually under his current two-year contract, has shown no signs of seeking an early exit. While he remains open to returning to Spurs in the future, he has emphasized his dedication to leading the USMNT through the upcoming World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
While Pochettino remains firmly rooted in his US coaching role, Tottenham’s struggles this season have led to growing uncertainty around Postecoglou’s position. Spurs currently sit in 14th place in the Premier League with 34 points, and their hopes of achieving a higher finish are slim even with a perfect run in their remaining fixtures.
Tottenham’s early exits from domestic cup competitions further compounded their woes. However, their Europa League campaign remains a silver lining, with a quarter-final clash against Eintracht Frankfurt offering a chance to salvage the season. Winning the tournament would not only end the club’s 17-year trophy drought but also secure a Champions League spot, potentially strengthening Postecoglou’s position.
A Europa League triumph would provide a much-needed boost, but anything less could lead to further speculation about managerial changes. For now, the club is expected to assess Postecoglou’s performance at the end of the season before making any definitive decisions.
Pochettino’s tenure with the USMNT has faced its own challenges. Recent defeats to Panama and Canada in the CONCACAF Nations League have raised concerns among fans. The losses brought his overall record to five wins and three losses since taking over in September.
Despite the setbacks, Pochettino remains optimistic. He urged supporters to remain patient, emphasizing that the team is still in its developmental phase. He acknowledged the immense pressure that will come with hosting the World Cup but expressed confidence in his ability to prepare the squad effectively.
“In one year, if we’re still struggling like this, then we’ll have a problem,” Pochettino said. “But right now, we have time to build, learn, and grow.”
While Tottenham fans may continue to dream of his return, Pochettino’s immediate focus remains on leading the USMNT toward a successful World Cup campaign in 2026.
