Matthew Wilkinson

Mon 24 March 2025 20:30, UK

Mauricio Pochettino has infuriated United States fans just months into his role as the head coach after sparking Tottenham return rumours.

The 53-year-old succeeded former USA national coach Gregg Berhalter back in September as the nation prepares to host the 2026 World Cup with its very own ‘golden generation’.

Pochettino took on the role coming off the back of a mixed spell in charge of Chelsea where he failed to convince the ownership that he was the right man for the job on a long-term basis.

However, things have hit a rocky patch during this international break, and coupled with Pochettino flirting with a possible return to Tottenham one day in a recent interview, he has come under serious pressure.

USA were defeated 2-1 in the CONCACAF Nations League on Sunday (23 March) by rivals Canada in a game that fans will quickly wish to forget.

Tani Oluwaseyi gave Canada the lead in the 27th minute, and even though Patrick Agyemang equalised just eight minutes later it wouldn’t be enough as Tottenham transfer target Jonathan David found the back of the net in the 59th minute.

Mauricio Pochettino has had Tottenham fans dreaming of a return

USA automatically qualified for the World Cup due to their position as one of the hosts, but the recent defeat against Canada has had some fans alarmed.

It’s the second game in a row that Pochettino’s men have lost after they were beaten by Panama 1-0 on Thursday (20 March).

During his latest press conference, the former Tottenham boss addressed the recent defeats by saying, “Negativity? Where is the negativity?”

“Pessimism maybe, yes, but you see in the World Cup teams that were building were not good until right at the World Cup. I want to send the message to the fans: don’t be pessimistic or get bad feelings.”

Mauricio Pochettino has USA fans questioning if he’s the man for the job

Pochettino is a vastly experienced coach who has worked at the highest level with teams such as Spurs, Chelsea, and PSG, but this is his first job on the international stage.

The fact USA has now lost twice on the bounce is something that hasn’t given supporters the biggest vote of confidence ahead of a crucial period in the team’s history.

It remains to be seen if Pochettino ever would make a shock return to Tottenham, where he was once such a revered figure.

But given his mixed spell at rivals Chelsea, a move that disappointed many Spurs fans, and his struggles with the USA it is difficult to see it ever being an overwhelmingly popular decision.