U.S. men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino will be in the building on Tuesday, March 10, as his former club Tottenham visits Atlético Madrid in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie.
In footage released by talkSPORT on Tuesday, Pochettino is seen on a flight to Madrid along with several Spurs fans who serenade the Argentine and ask him to come back to the club.
Pochettino’s visit to Madrid comes amid intense speculation over the 54-year-old’s future.
The Argentine’s contract with the USMNT is up after the World Cup and most observers expect the two sides to go their separate ways when the tournament in North America is over.
Pochettino has made no secret of his desire to return to the Premier League at some point.
‘Yeah, I watch a lot,’ the Argentinian manager said in a December interview with the BBC. ‘The Premier League is the best in the world. Of course I miss it.
‘I am so happy in the USA, but I am always thinking about returning one day. It is the most competitive league, and of course I would love to come back again.’
Pochettino is the most successful manager in Tottenham’s recent history, leading the club to runner-up finishes in both the Premier League and Champions League during his tenure from 2014 to 2019.
Spurs are now at a low ebb, batting relegation in the Premier League with Igor Tudor in charge on an interim basis after Thomas Frank was sacked last month.
Why is Mauricio Pochettino in Madrid?
Pochettino’s trip to Madrid could have multiple purposes.
Though he’s going to Tuesday’s match as a guest of Atlético, he will also have the chance to catch up with Tottenham leadership and potentially chat about the club’s soon-to-be-vacant coaching position.
Pochettino hasn’t been known to scout many European-based USMNT players in person, but should have the opportunity to watch Atlético Madrid midfielder Johnny Cardoso in action.
Cardoso has been improving lately for Los Rojiblancos and appears to be on the bubble for Pochettino’s World Cup roster.
There is also the matter of Atlético’s crosstown rival Real Madrid, which is also reportedly eyeing Pochettino for next season.
According to ESPN, Pochettino is on the shortlist for Los Blancos as they eye a permanent replacement for Álvaro Arbeloa. Could Pochettino’s visit to Madrid also include a trip to Real?
Pochettino will be back in the United States by next week as he gathers his roster for two upcoming friendlies in Atlanta. The USMNT will face Belgium on March 28 and Portugal on March 31.