Pochettino Leaves Door Open for Spurs Return, Focused on World Cup

USMNT boss says he can't feel 'nothing' about his former club Tottenham.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:01pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented soccer scene with overlapping planes of navy, green, and red, conveying the complex emotions and divided loyalties of a coach with ties to both a national team and a former club.Pochettino's emotional ties to Tottenham remain strong, but his focus is firmly on leading the USMNT to World Cup success.Atlanta Today

Mauricio Pochettino, the current manager of the U.S. men's national team, acknowledged the possibility of a return to his former club Tottenham Hotspur in the future, but stated his full focus remains on leading the USMNT at the upcoming World Cup.

Why it matters

Pochettino's comments will likely stir speculation about his long-term future, as he remains a beloved figure among Tottenham supporters despite departing the club several years ago. His openness to a potential Spurs return could impact the USMNT's preparations for the World Cup if the rumors intensify.

The details

In an interview, Pochettino said it is 'impossible to feel nothing' about Tottenham, the club he managed from 2014 to 2019. However, he emphasized that his current priority is the USMNT and the upcoming World Cup, where the team will look to build on its recent progress.

  • Pochettino managed Tottenham from 2014 to 2019.

The players

Mauricio Pochettino

The current manager of the U.S. men's national team, who previously managed Tottenham Hotspur from 2014 to 2019.

Tottenham Hotspur

An English Premier League football club based in London, which Pochettino managed for several years before taking the USMNT job.

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What they’re saying

“It's impossible to feel nothing about Tottenham. It's a club that's in my heart and that I love.”

— Mauricio Pochettino, USMNT Manager

What’s next

Pochettino and the USMNT will continue their preparations for the upcoming World Cup, where they will look to make a deep run and build on the team's recent progress under Pochettino's leadership.

The takeaway

Pochettino's comments suggest he still has a strong emotional connection to Tottenham, but his primary focus remains on leading the USMNT to success at the World Cup. The possibility of a future Spurs return, though intriguing, will likely not distract from the national team's objectives in the near term.