Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino could be edging closer to a return to Premier League management.
Earlier this year, Pochettino was linked with a potential comeback to Spurs before the club opted to appoint Thomas Frank instead. However, Frank is already under intense scrutiny following a disastrous opening half of the season, with Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Sunderland doing little to ease the pressure.
As a result, Pochettino could find himself back at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium sooner rather than later—though possibly in the opposing dugout.
Pochettino has emerged as one of the names being mentioned in connection with the vacant Manchester United job, following the club’s decision to sack Ruben Amorim after a run of poor results. Amorim’s spell at Old Trafford lasted just over a year, despite beating several high-profile candidates—including Pochettino—to the role.
Bookmakers currently list the former Spurs boss, now head coach of the United States national team, as a joint 12th favourite for the United job alongside Aston Villa’s Unai Emery and others. Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner is the frontrunner, with Enzo Maresca, Laurent Blanc, Xavi Hernandez, Gareth Southgate and Marco Silva also ahead in the betting.
Pochettino had previously been among the leading candidates to replace Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham last summer but ultimately stayed on with the USMNT. He was appointed in September 2024 with the primary goal of leading the team at the World Cup on home soil.
Despite facing early criticism, Pochettino appears to have weathered the storm and is now widely expected to remain in charge for the tournament. His record at Tottenham stands at 293 matches managed, with 159 wins, 62 draws and 72 defeats—a win rate of 54.27%.
While the Manchester United role would likely appeal to him, Pochettino remains under contract with the United States, limiting his immediate options. He is also well down the list of candidates, making a move to Old Trafford highly unlikely at this stage.
That said, his future could come under review after the World Cup, depending on how the campaign unfolds. Should that happen, speculation surrounding a Premier League return—and possibly even a comeback to north London—looks set to resurface once again.
