Mauricio Pochettino odds slashed to manage giants after Tottenham ‘open talks’, Jurgen Klopp is favourite
Mauricio Pochettino has seen his odds slashed in the race to become the next Real Madrid manager.
The Spanish giants sacked Xabi Alonso after defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa final in January, with Alvaro Arbeloa set to lead the team until the summer.
Jurgen Klopp has been named the favourite for the job, but the German is yet to indicate that he may return to management.
Tottenham sacked Thomas Frank last week and have since appointed Igor Tudor on an interim deal until the summer.
Decision-makers are then expected to propose a deal that would see Pochettino return to North London after the World Cup.
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Mauricio Pochettino in Real Madrid running
There have been suggestions made that talks between Pochettino and Tottenham have already started to take place.
The Argentine spent over five years with the Lilywhites, but left the club without ever having lifted a trophy.
The job he will have on his hands to rebuild his former club will be far more daunting than it was when he arrived from Southampton in 2014, but he retains the belief of the fanbase.
First, Pochettino will go to the World Cup with the United States, where he hopes to represent one of the host nations well.
The 53-year-old’s team have gone close to glory – losing the final of the Gold Cup and losing the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Nations League – but they won’t be expected to win the World Cup.
Pochettino will hope to end his journey into international management on a high in front of their own fans, however.
His return to Tottenham is not yet a given, with several clubs set to be looking for a new manager this summer.
Real Madrid are among them, and Pochettino’s odds of becoming their next manager have been slashed to 12/1 by one major bookmaker.
Pochettino has already given his answer on Tottenham return
Pochettino is a fan favourite at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, despite his time at Chelsea, and would undoubtedly be welcomed back.
The Argentine delivered Tottenham’s record Premier League points tally, oversaw the move to the new stadium, and worked under tight budgets to constantly deliver European football.
Speaking to Sky Sports in 2025, Pochettino said: “When I left the club, I always remember one interview I said I would like one day to come back to Tottenham.”
“I am in the USA, so I am not going to talk about that now – but what I said then I still, after six years or five years, feel in my heart. Yes, I would like one day to come back.”