Pochettino Tottenham return: David Ornstein issues blockbuster update
Mauricio Pochettino has been linked with a return to Tottenham despite managing the United States team.
Since being sacked by Daniel Levy, the Argentine has managed PSG and Chelsea before taking over the reins of the American national team.
Given the uncertainty surrounding Ange Postecoglou’s time at Spurs, a number of managers have been linked with the job.
David Ornstein issues claim on Pochettino returning to Spurs
Pochettino was hired as the United States boss ahead of the 2026 World Cup – a home tournament for them.
David Ornstein admitted that the spectre of his return to Spurs looms large, but he does not see it happening ahead of the competition.
| Mauricio Pochettino | PLD | W | D | L | Win rate |
| Tottenham Hotspur (2014-2019) | 293 | 159 | 62 | 72 | 54.27% |
There is also a hefty buyout clause in his contract that may complicate things further and potentially put off suitors
Ornstein wrote in the Athletic: “The spectre of Mauricio Pochettino looms large, but I’d be shocked if he doesn’t lead the USMNT at the 2026 World Cup, plus there is a hefty buyout clause in his contract, which will probably see any suitors put off.”
Pochettino may not fancy a return to Tottenham
Even if Pochettino was out of a job, returning to Tottenham under the current circumstances would have been a daunting prospect due to his firsthand experience of the club’s mismanagement under chairman Daniel Levy.
During his tenure from 2014 to 2019, Pochettino transformed Spurs into Premier League title contenders and led them to a Champions League final, masking significant off-field issues with his tactical brilliance and ability to maximise a limited squad.
However, he was hamstrung by Levy’s frugal approach to transfers, with minimal investment in key windows, such as the summer of 2018, when no signings were made despite evident squad fatigue.
This lack of ambition frustrated Pochettino, who publicly hinted at needing greater backing to compete with rivals.
Returning now, with Spurs still under Levy’s tight financial control and facing fan discontent after inconsistent seasons, would likely mean revisiting the same constraints that hindered his previous spell.
Pochettino’s success relied on overachieving with limited resources, but the emotional toll of navigating Levy’s cautious strategy again, coupled with the pressure to rebuild a divided fanbase, would make a return unappealing.
He’d likely seek a club with aligned ambitions rather than repeat a cycle of masking systemic flaws with on-pitch heroics.