Mauricio Pochettino has publicly denied reports that he has held discussions with Tottenham Hotspur about their vacant managerial position. This comes as Roberto De Zerbi emerges as the favourite to take over the struggling club, which is currently fighting to avoid relegation. Pochettino, currently managing the United States men's national team, addressed the rumors ahead of his team’s friendly match against Portugal, making it clear that he is fully committed to his current role.
Pochettino’s Denial of Tottenham Discussions
Ahead of the friendly between the USMNT and Portugal, Pochettino was asked about speculation surrounding his potential return to Tottenham following Igor Tudor’s sacking. Tudor, who lasted just 44 days as Spurs’ manager, was dismissed after a series of poor results, including only one victory in eight matches. Despite the connection between Pochettino and the club, the Argentine manager firmly denied any conversations with Tottenham’s hierarchy.
“No talks,” Pochettino stated firmly. “We are very focused here on the World Cup. Everyone knows I have a commitment with the national team. It’s not the time to talk about the future. No one approached me. But who knows what’s going to happen. And by the way, we are open to staying with the USMNT, why not, if the federation is happy?” His response made it clear that he was not considering a return to the Premier League at this time.
Pochettino’s Focus on World Cup Preparations
Pochettino, appointed as the head coach of the USMNT in September 2024, has been focusing on preparing the team for the upcoming World Cup, which will be hosted in the United States this summer. Since taking the helm, he has led the team to 13 victories and two draws in 24 matches, establishing a mixed but promising record. With warm-up fixtures against Senegal and Germany ahead, Pochettino is solely concentrated on his responsibilities with the national team.
While he dismissed rumors linking him to Tottenham, Pochettino also shared his thoughts on the current situation at Spurs. When asked about the club's chances of avoiding relegation, he expressed confidence in their ability to stay in the Premier League, despite their current struggles. “Yes, they can stay up. Of course, it’s a difficult time, but they have the capacity to win, with or without a new coach,” he said.
De Zerbi Emerges as Favourite for Tottenham’s Job
As Pochettino dismissed any potential return to North London, attention turned to Roberto De Zerbi, who has become the overwhelming favourite to replace Tudor at Spurs. Reports indicate that De Zerbi has already agreed to a five-year deal with the club and is expected to take charge ahead of Tottenham's next Premier League match against Sunderland on April 12th.
With De Zerbi now seen as the front-runner, Tottenham’s management is eager to find a manager who can steer the club clear of relegation and restore its competitive edge in the Premier League. As Pochettino’s focus remains on the World Cup, Spurs’ search for a new leader continues, with the club hoping De Zerbi will provide the stability and results they desperately need.
