Mauricio Pochettino has admitted he is “not in talks” with Tottenham amid rumors of a return to north London.
US national team manager Pochettino, 54, was asked about the vacant role at Tottenham following the departure of manager Igor Tudor on Sunday, and addressed the media ahead of the friendly against Portugal.
Tudor, 47, was sacked after a disastrous 44 days in which he won just one of eight competitive games, which came against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. The Croatian failed to win a single Premier League game during his time at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and could have taken 18 points but took just one point.
With Tottenham in 17th place, one point and one place above the drop zone, former Spurs manager Pochettino has been linked with a potential move to stay in the fight to avoid relegation, but Roberto De Zerbi has emerged as the front-runner to take the reins.
And on Monday, the Argentine was asked whether he had held talks with Tottenham during the club’s search for a new manager. Manager Pochettino responded resolutely, saying, “We will not discuss it.” “We are very focused on the World Cup here.
“Everyone knows that I have commitments with the national team here. It’s not a problem to talk about the future. No one has approached me. But you never know what will happen. By the way, we are open[to staying with the USMNT]. If the federation is happy, then why not?”
Pochettino was appointed as the U.S. national team coach in September 2024. The former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain manager has since been preparing the USMNT for this summer’s World Cup, with a mixed record of 13 wins and two draws from 24 games during his time in charge.
The United States is scheduled to play Senegal and Germany in additional warm-up games ahead of the World Cup, where it will face Paraguay, Australia and other countries yet to be determined.
Pochettino ruled out the prospect of becoming Tottenham’s next manager, but shared his thoughts on the club’s fight to avoid relegation and maintain their Premier League status.
Asked if he thought Spurs could survive in the top flight, Pochettino replied: “Yes, they can continue. Of course it’s a difficult period, but they are capable of winning, with or without a new coach.”
De Zerbi remains the overwhelming favorite to replace Tudor as Spurs’ new head coach. According to reports, the Italian has agreed a five-year contract and is expected to take charge for the next game against Sunderland in the Premier League on Sunday, April 12th.
