Mauricio Pochettino has been linked with a return to Tottenham as the club search for a permanent replacement for Thomas Frank
Tottenham Hotspur had their most successful league campaigns in recent memory under Mauricio Pochettino, with the manager linked with a move back to North London this summer.
Spurs are on the lookout for a permanent manager following the sacking of Thomas Frank. Igor Tudor has come in as his replacement, on an interim deal until the end of the season, with the search going on in the background.
Pochettino, who is currently the manager of the USA national team, has been linked with the vacancy. His latest comments have hinted at a possible return to the club.
"I'm always linked [to clubs]. To Tottenham, just like at one time I was linked to Espanyol, or to other clubs," he told Radiogaceta de los Deportes.
FOLLOW OUR TOTTENHAM FB PAGE!Latest Spurs news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page
"In the end, especially because of my past at those clubs, when things aren't going well, people tend to fall back on emotion and say, 'Well, with Mauricio we played good football,' or whatever it may be.
"But no, we're focused on the World Cup, on the United States. My contract runs until after the World Cup, so after that we'll see what might happen. Open to everything, right?"
If it happens, an appointment is likely to take place after the World Cup. But preparations for the summer transfer window could begin.
Pochettino's managerial career has seen him work with hundreds of different players, both on the domestic and international stage. Here are five that he could turn to, should a Tottenham reunion happen.
Ben Chilwell
Pochettino worked with the left-back during his time at Chelsea. Chilwell’s time under the Argentine was disrupted by injury, with him making 20 appearances in all competitions, where he often wore the captain’s armband.
Chilwell since fell out of favour at Stamford Bridge and completed a permanent move to French side Strasbourg in the summer, where he has been a regular. He will have just one year remaining on his deal when the summer comes around, meaning he could be available at a cheaper price.
At 29 years old, he could bring much-needed Premier League experience to the back-line.
Andrey Santos
Like Chilwell, Santos worked with Pochettino during the manager's time at Chelsea, although he never made a first-team appearance under him, with the midfielder just starting to make the breakthrough.
Still aged just 21, the Brazilian has now made that breakthrough. Although he has been in every matchday squad he has been available for, he has been in and out of the starting XI at Chelsea this season.
If Spurs could promise him more regular starts, then it could be a deal that could possibly be done. Although with him under contract until 2030, it may prove expensive.
Weston McKennie
Another option for the midfield could be USA international Weston McKennie. As it stands, the 27-year-old is out of contract with Juventus at the end of the current season and will be available on a free transfer.
The midfielder has impressed with his performances in Italy this season, and looks set to be a key member of Pochettino’s US team for the upcoming home World Cup.
His versatility, allowing him to play pretty much anywhere on the pitch, could be invaluable.
**Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. **Click here to activateor add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings
Florian Balogun
Another player who Pochettino is likely to turn to during the World Cup. The 24-year-old striker has scored five goals and provided four assists in 19 Ligue 1 appearances for Monaco this season.
Another five goals have come in his 10 appearances for the club in the Champions League, as well as three goals in his last five games for the national team.
The forward started his career with Arsenal, before joining Monaco in August 2023 and has since gone from strength to strength.
Haji Wright
The American has impressed for Coventry City as they aim to secure promotion from the Championship at the end of this season. The 27-year-old has scored 14 goals in 30 appearances in the Championship so far this campaign, with the Sky Blues sitting at the top of the table.
If they earn promotion, a deal may be hard to do, with the club likely to want to keep their best players to try and compete in the Premier League. It could, however, be a cheaper option if Coventry have a late-season collapse and misses out on promotion.