Pochettino watches Tudor catastrophe after comments on Spurs job | Football | Sport
Former Spurs manager Pochettino was seen in attendance amidst rumours he could make a comeback to the club. Pochettino is currently managing the United States national team ahead of their home World Cup this summer, though many anticipate the 54-year-old will resign following the competition. The ex-centre-back’s contract concludes later this year, and last month, he acknowledged he is receptive to all possibilities thereafter.
Speaking on a radio interview with “Radiogaceta de los Deportes” on RNE in Spain, he said: “I’m always linked (to clubs), to Tottenham, just like at one time I was linked to Espanyol, or to other clubs. In the end, especially because of my past at those clubs, when things aren’t going well, people tend to fall back on emotions and say, ‘Well, with Mauricio we played good football,’ or whatever it may be.
“But no. We’re focused on the World Cup, on the United States. My contract runs until after the World Cup, so after that we’ll see what might happen. Open to everything, right?”
The experienced manager has previously taken Tottenham to the stadium in Spain’s capital, steering the side to the Champions League final there in 2019. Spurs were defeated by Liverpool in that showpiece occasion, and several months afterwards, following a difficult start to the campaign, Pochettino was dismissed and succeeded by Jose Mourinho.
However, if Tuesday evening’s performance is any indication, then Pochettino may face a considerable challenge should he opt to return to North London. Marco Llorente broke the deadlock for Atleti just six minutes into the match, before Antoine Griezmann extended the lead less than 10 minutes after.
Julian Alvarez made it 3-0 a minute after play resumed as Igor Tudor looked on powerlessly from the touchline, before Robin Le Normand struck to make it 4-0 to the home side with just 22 minutes on the clock. Despite Pedro Porro offering his club a glimmer of hope by reducing the arrears moments later, Spurs headed into the dressing room at the break facing a 4-1 deficit to overturn in the second-half.
Alvarez appeared to seal the deal 10 minutes into the second half, before Dominic Solanke grabbed a consolation goal as time ran down – the Lilywhites leaving the Spanish capital with a 5-2 defeat to show for their efforts. Spurs have witnessed a revolving door of managers since Pochettino’s exit, with Antonio Conte, Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou and Thomas Frank all relieved of their duties in the period since.
Caretaker boss Tudor is already facing scrutiny with Spurs embroiled in a relegation scrap. Pochettino has experienced a turbulent period since departing Spurs.
The US manager remained at Paris Saint-Germain for slightly over 18 months, securing Ligue 1 in 2022, and spent merely 12 months at Chelsea before separating from Spurs’ London rivals. His attendance could still increase the strain on Tudor as he seeks his maiden victory.
The Croatian recognises the Premier League remains his foremost objective, though. He said: “We need to do our best in terms that we need to grow, as you said also. Because our first aim is the Premier League – this needs to be said publicly, this is a normal thing – this is something extra. But that doesn’t mean that we don’t want to pass and don’t want to go to the next round.”
