Tottenham are close to naming Roberto De Zerbi as their new manager, ending speculation - at least for now - that Mauricio Pochettino will return to the North London
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - MARCH 28: Antonee Robinson #5 of the United States on a throw in as United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino gives instructions during the first half against Belgium during an international friendly at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on March 28, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)
Mauricio Pochettino is out of contract this summer(Image: John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)
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Mauricio Pochettino's return to Tottenham looks increasingly unlikely after he made it clear that he's open to staying on as USA boss. It comes after Spurs entered advanced talks with Roberto De Zerbi to become their new manager.
De Zerbi, 46, is available after leaving Marseille in February and emerged as the frontrunner shortly after Tottenham parted ways with Igor Tudor. As Tudor was only appointed on an interim basis, Pochettino continued to be linked with the full-time position.
But with De Zerbi in talks to sign a long-term contract, Spurs are pinning both their immediate and future hopes on the former Brighton manager. Pochettino, on the other hand, is due to be out of contract with US Soccer after this summer's World Cup which they're co-hosting.
But the Argentine has opened the door to a new deal, saying: "I think everyone knows that I am committed with the national team here. We are open. We don't have contract for the future, but why not if we are happy and the federation is happy?"
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While confirming that he hasn't held talks with Tottenham - or Real Madrid, who he's also been linked with - Pochettino did talk about his connection to Spurs, and weighed in on the crisis which De Zerbi looks set to inherit. "It was one of my best experiences in my life," the 54-year-old remarked.
"I am sure they're going to stay up, with coach or without coach because of the players, because I think Tottenham have unbelievable players and then it's a club with - the fans that are going to make everything to create that energy to win. Of course that is going to be tough because the synergy and the dynamic is difficult."
Tottenham Hotspur's Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino looks on before the English Premier League football match between Brighto n and Tottenham Hotspur at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on October 5, 2019. (Photo by Glyn KIRK/AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Mauricio Pochettino was sacked by Tottenham in 2019(Image: GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
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Pochettino has been in charge of the United States since September 2024 and back then, he didn't anticipate the scale of the task. "It's tough, but it's a massive challenge," he admitted. "It's a bigger challenge than we really believe or thought before to start here... and never is easy when you want to change things or when you need to change.
"The potential is massive, and with the legacy of the World Cup, I think, and in the way that is growing the soccer here, you are seeing all our youth teams, how they are growing, how they are competing. I think it's very exciting in the future here."
The USA will face Paraguay, Australia and either Turkey or Kosovo this summer. They reached the round of 16 at the last World Cup, losing 3-1 to the Netherlands.