“World-class” manager wants Tottenham job after emerging as Levy’s first choice ahead of Iraola
The winds of change are sweeping through North London as Tottenham Hotspur prepare for what could be their most significant managerial decision in years.
Chairman Daniel Levy has reportedly identified former boss Mauricio Pochettino as his preferred candidate to replace the struggling Ange Postecoglou, setting the stage for a potential emotional reunion at N17.
Spurs’ dismal Premier League campaign, featuring 18 defeats and a dismal 16th-place standing, has forced the club hierarchy to contemplate drastic action. While their Europa League semi-final appearance keeps Champions League qualification theoretically possible, the damage to Postecoglou’s position appears irreparable.
The Australian’s tactical inflexibility and strained relationship with sections of the fanbase have created an atmosphere where change seems inevitable.
Pochettino’s potential return carries profound symbolism for a club still searching for identity since his 2019 departure. Currently navigating a turbulent spell as United States national team coach, the Argentine has never hidden his affection for Tottenham, recently admitting he’d “love” to complete unfinished business in North London.
Levy recognizes the emotional resonance such an appointment would carry, particularly among supporters who still revere the man who guided them to a Champions League final.
The 52-year-old’s suitability extends beyond nostalgia. Tottenham’s current squad – brimming with young talents like Pape Matar Sarr, Destiny Udogie, and Micky van de Ven – mirrors the raw materials Pochettino famously molded into top-four regulars during his first tenure.
His proven ability to develop emerging stars aligns perfectly with the club’s recruitment strategy, offering a coherent vision that’s been conspicuously absent in recent years.
Competition for the role has narrowed significantly after Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola – previously considered the frontrunner – committed his future to the South Coast club. Fulham’s Marco Silva remains an outside contender, but lacks the emotional connection and proven track record at elite level that Pochettino offers.
The potential reunion isn’t without complications. Pochettino’s USMNT contract runs through the 2026 World Cup, and while recent results have drawn criticism, walking away from a home tournament would represent a major career gamble.
There’s also the delicate matter of reconciling Levy’s notorious frugality with Pochettino’s well-documented frustrations over transfer market support during his previous spell.
For Tottenham supporters, the prospect of Pochettino’s return stirs mixed emotions. While his past achievements command respect, some question whether revisiting former glories represents progress.
Yet in a summer where several top clubs will chase the same elite managers, Pochettino offers something increasingly rare – a proven winner who understands the club’s DNA and can hit the ground running.
As Spurs’ season reaches its climax, the managerial speculation adds intrigue to their on-field challenges.
Whether Pochettino ultimately returns or not, his emergence as leading candidate confirms Tottenham’s need for both fresh direction and reconnect with the values that brought their recent golden era.
In football as in life, sometimes moving forward requires acknowledging what worked in the past.