Pochettino Backed for Return After High-Profile Managerial Departure

Former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino may be moving closer to a return to Premier League management. Earlier this year, the Argentine was touted as a possible candidate to reunite with Spurs, but the club instead turned to Thomas Frank. That decision is already under the microscope, with Frank facing heavy pressure after a calamitous first half of the campaign, compounded by Sunday’s uninspiring 1-1 draw with Sunderland.

In that context, Pochettino could yet find himself back at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium sooner than expected—although potentially in the away dugout. He has been mentioned among the names linked to the Manchester United vacancy following the club’s decision to dismiss Ruben Amorim after a string of disappointing results. Amorim lasted just over 12 months at Old Trafford, having beaten several high-profile contenders, including Pochettino, to the job.

Bookmakers currently place the former Spurs manager—now head coach of the United States men’s national team—as a joint 12th favourite for the United role alongside Aston Villa’s Unai Emery and others. Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner leads the betting, with Enzo Maresca, Laurent Blanc, Xavi Hernandez, Gareth Southgate and Marco Silva also ahead of Pochettino.

Pochettino had been one of the leading options to succeed Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham last summer but ultimately committed to the USMNT, taking up the role in September 2024 with a clear focus on guiding the side at a home World Cup. Despite some early criticism, he has steadied the ship and is now widely expected to see out the tournament. His Spurs tenure saw him oversee 293 matches, recording 159 wins, 62 draws and 72 defeats—a 54.27% win ratio.

While the Manchester United job would almost certainly interest him, Pochettino remains under contract with the United States, restricting his short-term prospects. Coupled with his current position low down the bookmakers’ list, a move to Old Trafford appears unlikely for now.

However, his long-term future could be reassessed after the World Cup, depending on how the campaign unfolds. If that happens, talk of a Premier League return—and perhaps even another chapter in north London—seems destined to gather momentum once more.