Tottenham could regret Daniel Levy call as former Spurs player questions Mauricio Pochettino return
Mauricio Pochettino has emerged as a leading contender to succeed Thomas Frank at Tottenham, though former Spurs goalkeeper Brad Friedel has questioned whether the Argentine would be willing to return to north London.
Pochettino is currently contracted to the United States national team through the upcoming World Cup on home soil, and Spurs are expected to appoint an interim manager should they decide to part ways with Frank, potentially paving the way for a summer reunion.
Despite failing to lift silverware during his previous spell, Pochettino remains hugely popular with Tottenham supporters after transforming the club into regular Premier League top-four contenders. However, Friedel believes several factors could complicate any move, including the club’s leadership structure.
Speaking to talkSPORT on Hawksbee & Jacobs, Friedel suggested Pochettino’s future may hinge on both his success with the USMNT and the situation at Spurs. He questioned whether a strong World Cup showing would tempt Pochettino to extend his stay in international management, particularly given his role in reshaping the culture and mentality of the American squad.
Friedel added that Pochettino previously enjoyed an excellent working relationship with Daniel Levy and would once have returned to Tottenham without hesitation, but admitted the current circumstances make the situation less clear. He noted that Pochettino would carefully assess the level of control and stability required to succeed before considering any move back to club football.
From a US perspective, Friedel said he would prefer Pochettino to remain in charge beyond the World Cup, praising his impact both on and off the pitch and predicting a competitive tournament for the hosts. He expressed confidence that the United States have the talent, home support and leadership to progress from the group stage, while acknowledging the difficulty of advancing deep into the knockout rounds.
Despite Tottenham’s struggles domestically — winless in five league matches and sitting 14th, just eight points above the relegation zone — Friedel believes Pochettino remains one of the club’s finest-ever managers. He concluded that many Spurs fans would welcome his return, describing him as an outstanding coach whose influence has already begun to take full shape with the US national team.
