Title-winning manager would love to join Tottenham, Levy is fully aware – journalist
The winds of change are swirling through North London as Tottenham Hotspur contemplate a dramatic reunion with Mauricio Pochettino, the charismatic Argentine who once transformed the club into Champions League finalists.
Current manager Ange Postecoglou finds himself on increasingly thin ice after a Premier League campaign that threatens to equal the club’s worst-ever defeat record, with Sunday’s trip to Anfield potentially sealing both Liverpool’s title and his own fate.
While Europa League success offers Postecoglou a potential lifeline, Tottenham’s hierarchy appears to be laying groundwork for his successor regardless of continental results.
The Australian’s tactical inflexibility and failure to address defensive vulnerabilities have eroded confidence in his long-term vision, prompting chairman Daniel Levy to explore alternatives that range from pragmatic to nostalgic.
Pochettino emerges as the most emotionally compelling candidate, with sources indicating the former Spurs boss would “love” to return to N17.
His current position with the US national team has proven less fulfilling than anticipated, and the 53-year-old’s struggles to adapt to international management have left him vulnerable to approaches from club football.
Levy maintains a strong relationship with the Argentine and recognizes the galvanizing effect his return could have on a disillusioned fanbase still nostalgic for the 2019 Champions League run.
The managerial shortlist reveals Tottenham’s strategic dilemma. Andoni Iraola’s progressive style at Bournemouth and Marco Silva’s consistent overachievement at Fulham represent sensible but uninspiring choices.
Simone Inzaghi’s inclusion signals ambition – the Inter Milan architect’s trophy-laden resume and tactical sophistication would represent a coup – but prying him from San Siro seems improbable.
Oliver Glasner’s transformative work at Crystal Palace makes him a compelling dark horse, capable of implementing an attacking philosophy while addressing Spurs’ defensive frailties.
Pochettino’s potential return carries both symbolic and practical weight. His intimate knowledge of the club’s structure and existing relationships with key staff would enable a smoother transition than any external appointment.
The current squad’s profile – brimming with young talents like Pape Matar Sarr and Micky van de Ven – mirrors the raw materials he previously molded into top-four regulars.
Most importantly, his emotional connection with supporters could heal fractures opened by years of managerial turbulence since his departure.
Yet questions linger. Would Pochettino accept the role without guarantees of transfer market support – the very issue that fractured his relationship with Levy previously?
Can he adapt his high-pressing philosophy to a squad built for Postecoglou’s possession-based approach? And does his mixed post-Spurs record at PSG and Chelsea suggest diminished tactical flexibility?
As Tottenham’s season reaches its climax, the managerial speculation adds intrigue to their on-field challenges.
Sunday’s Anfield visit could prove a watershed moment – either triggering immediate change or granting Postecoglou temporary reprieve.
What’s certain is that Tottenham stand at a crossroads, with Pochettino’s potential return offering both comforting familiarity and unresolved questions.
In football as in life, the most emotionally satisfying choices aren’t always the wisest – a paradox Levy must navigate carefully in the coming weeks.