Mauricio Pochettino is now 5 months into his new chapter as the manager of the United States Men’s National Team, where he has gotten off to a solid start with five wins from seven games since taking over in September last year.
Yet, for all the fresh challenges, football fans around the world know one thing for sure, the Argentinian manager has a soft spot for his old club Tottenham Hotspur. Poch has never been shy about expressing his deep affection for the club, where he enjoyed his most cherished years as a manager.
Since his departure from Spurs in 2019, Pochettino’s managerial career has lacked the stability he once enjoyed in North London. Stints at PSG and Chelsea didn’t quite deliver the success he had hoped for. There was always speculation around hether a return to his old stomping ground could be on the cards.
That speculation only grew stronger after he was spotted in a pub in Barley, just an hour away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Pochettino’s visit wasn’t just a casual trip. He was seen in the company of Spurs legend, Argentinian midfielder and cult hero Ossie Ardiles, Englishman Glenn Hoddle and Ledley King amongst others. The group was seen having a good time at the Fox and Hounds pub in Barley.
One fan was shocked with just the thought of meeting Spurs royalty when you walk into your local pub, “Mauricio Pochettino, Ossie Ardiles, Glenn Hoddle, Ledley King… and others… Imagine walking into your local pub and seeing these absolute legends in there.”
Some fans believe it was just Pochettino and Ardiles, while Hoddle and King were at the pub a different day after analyzing the pictures thoroughly.
Nevertheless, the sight of these Spurs greats together and the image of Pochettino holding onto a Spurs flag sent the fanbase into a frenzy, with many hoping it was more than just a friendly catch-up. “Poch with spurs flag…. Honestly just bring the bloke back and back him this time. He will do miles better then ange,” said one fan.
Adding fuel to the speculation, reports suggest that Pochettino had a conversation with the locals that during this meet-up, with whispers of a potential Spurs return.
Pochettino was asked by one of the locals, “Poch can you come back?” with Ossy responding, “We’re working on it.” While another source states Poch himself said, “I’m working on it.”
With Ange Postecoglou’s position at Spurs looking increasingly uncertain and Pochettino’s arrival in around the city of London, the murmurs seem to be growing. Pochettino’s existing contract with USMNT runs for another two years, but that wouldn’t necessarily stop a move if the opportunity arose.
In an interview, Poch showed no hesitation in showing his love for Spurs: “Maybe in 5 years, maybe in 10, I’m going to say to the universe, that before I will die I will want to manage again Tottenham, and try if it is possible to win one title. I want to feel what it means to win one title with Tottenham, because the fans are amazing.”
The Argentinian came close, finishing runners-up in the 2019 Champions League, failing to defeat Liverpool.
Most fans only hope one thing out of Poch’s sighting: a return to North London. “he’s so spurs we need him back,” said one fan while another said, “Bring him back, please.”
One fan raised the concern of still having Daniel Levy at the helm: “It will never work with levy there,” said a frustrated user, while others tweet in hopes of what could be, “Imagine, No Levy/ENIC and daddy Poch back with our wonder kids in 2 years time after Ange has won us a trophy.”
