Tottenham Hotspur could persuade Mauricio Pochettino to quit the United States national team now and return to the Premier League before the World Cup, former Spurs and USA goalkeeper Kasey Keller has claimed.
The north London club have not ruled out making another managerial change before the end of the season following Igor Tudor’s disappointing start, with just one win in seven games.
While Pochettino remains one of the primary managerial targets for the summer, his arrival mid-season appears highly unlikely, considering the Argentine is focused on leading the United States to the World Cup on home soil.
Pochettino Tipped to Join Spurs Before End of Season
Keller, as quoted by football.london, said he believes Pochettino will leave his United States role after the World Cup, but could not rule out an earlier departure if Tottenham push hard enough for the Argentine's return before the end of the season:
“I definitely see him quitting after the World Cup. With Tottenham Hotspur, the problem, I think, is if they could entice Pochettino to quit the World Cup right now, and I could see that happening.
“I think they may try to hold on, but I don't think they can. I don't think they can continue down the path right now without hiring somebody and have the unthinkable happen.
“Timing is so important, I think if Spurs could get a couple of wins in the next couple of matches, obviously the Forest match what a disaster.
“Then you think hold off, wait until after the World Cup and then have conversations. I think Spurs need to make a real serious move right now or the unthinkable is possible.”
Pochettino took charge of Tottenham in 2014 and led the club to the 2019 Champions League final.
Spurs also finished second in the Premier League under the Argentine in 2016/17 –their highest top-flight position in over 50 years.
The north London club’s lowest finish under Pochettino was sixth in the 2014/15 season, his first year in charge.
Roberto De Zerbi Unlikely to Join Spurs
Tottenham have been looking at several different options to succeed Tudor before the end of the season, but appear unlikely to appoint Roberto De Zerbi.
The Italian manager is reportedly willing to keep his options open until the summer and would consider joining Spurs if they avoid Premier League relegation.
De Zerbi is available after leaving Marseille earlier this campaign and would bring two seasons of Premier League experience from his time at Brighton.
The 46-year-old spent two years with the Seagulls and took them to sixth in the Premier League in the 2022/23 season –the club’s highest top-flight finish to date.