Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed he would have managed Tottenham Hotspur in the Championship if the club had suffered relegation last season, revealing that North London remains the only job he would take across any division.
Pochettino Confirms Approach During Tottenham’s Relegation Battle
According to Football.London, Tottenham approached Pochettino earlier this year as the club struggled in the English top flight under former head coach Thomas Frank. Pochettino, who managed Spurs between 2014 and 2019, explained that while the club reached out to numerous managers during the turbulent period, the timing never aligned for an immediate return.
At the time of the approach, the 54-year-old was fully committed to preparing the United States national team for a home World Cup. Pochettino later signed a contract extension keeping him with the Stars and Stripes until 2030, driven by what he described as strong support from the federation’s board and fans during the tournament.
Despite his commitments to the United States, Pochettino made clear his enduring attachment to Tottenham. When asked by The Mirror if he would have taken over had the club dropped out of the Premier League, Pochettino answered affirmatively: “Yes, of course. Tottenham? Yes, of course. It’s the only club that always I am open to help. Whatever division. Another club, no. But Tottenham, yes.”
Managerial Timeline and Succession at Tottenham Hotspur
The approach to Pochettino occurred during a volatile spell for Tottenham in early 2026. Following Thomas Frank’s dismissal in February, Igor Tudor took charge on an interim basis. Tudor’s tenure lasted just seven matches before a mutual agreement terminated his contract, leaving the club 17th in the table and lingering a single point above the relegation zone.
Roberto De Zerbi was subsequently appointed at the end of March to rescue the campaign. De Zerbi successfully steered the team clear of the drop zone, securing a 17th-place finish two points ahead of West Ham United.
While supporters frequently voice a desire for Pochettino’s eventual comeback, the former manager emphasized that the circumstances of the mid-season vacancy involved widespread contact across the managerial market. “Yeah, but in this moment they called everyone, they called all the coaches! Free and not free!” Pochettino told The Mirror.
Pochettino’s focus remains fixed on international football following the United States’ run to the World Cup round of 16, where they were eliminated by Belgium. Having established a secure tenure through 2030 alongside assistant Jesus Perez, any potential reunion with Tottenham remains dependent on future timing.
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