Pochettino’s Conditions for Tottenham Return Come to Light
Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly clarified his position on a potential return to Tottenham after the club chose to dismiss Thomas Frank following a poor spell of results.
It is understood that Pochettino would be open to rejoining Spurs after this summer’s World Cup. The 53-year-old previously spent nearly five and a half years in charge in north London, leading the club to consecutive second-place Premier League finishes and a Champions League final during his final full season.
He was dismissed in November 2019 after a challenging start to the campaign and replaced by Jose Mourinho. Since then, Pochettino has managed Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, before taking over as head coach of the United States national team in September 2024.
Pochettino remains under contract with the USA through the upcoming World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, making any departure before the tournament highly unlikely. However, talkSPORT reports that he would welcome a return to Tottenham once the competition concludes, effectively leaving the possibility of a Spurs comeback open more than six years after his exit.
The update on Pochettino’s stance came shortly after Tottenham confirmed Frank’s dismissal, following Tuesday’s 2-1 loss to Newcastle United. In a statement released on Wednesday, the club announced that it had decided to part ways with Frank despite initially being committed to giving him time to shape the team’s future. The board ultimately determined that results and performances warranted a change.
Frank, who took charge in June 2025, made a promising start by winning four of his first six matches in all competitions. However, Tottenham’s form has since deteriorated sharply. Spurs have managed just two wins in their last 17 Premier League games, a run stretching back to October’s 3-0 victory at Everton. The slump has left them 16th in the table, only five points clear of the relegation zone.
Tottenham’s next fixture is a north London derby against Arsenal on Sunday, February 22. With their FA Cup exit at the third-round stage, they face an 11-day wait before returning to action.
