Mauricio Pochettino admitted that watching his former side Tottenham Hotspur struggle to avoid relegation in the Premier League leaves him feeling "really sad." The Argentine coach, who once led Spurs to a second‑place league finish in the 2016‑17 season and guided them to the 2019 Champions League final, said the current situation is painful to witness. During an appearance on The Overlap’s "Stick to Football" podcast, Pochettino explained, "It’s really sad, I love Tottenham, it’s a huge part of my life – both professionally and personally. To see the club, the staff and the supporters suffering like this is hard to accept." He added that the club now sits 18th in the table, just two points adrift of safety with only four matches remaining, a stark contrast to the heights they reached under his leadership.
Pochettino’s tenure at Tottenham coincided with a period of massive infrastructure development. While the new stadium and training complex were being built, the team was forced to play home games at Wembley and even spent a spell at Milton Keynes Dons. Despite limited transfer budgets due to the financial focus on the new facilities, Pochettino managed to keep the side competitive.
He revealed that he had targeted players such as Sadio Mané and Georginio Wijnaldum for the squad, but both ultimately signed for Liverpool and later helped that side defeat Tottenham 2‑0 in the 2019 Champions League final. Reflecting on those years, Pochettino said, "We were in an amazing situation – the training ground was finished, the stadium was nearing completion, we were playing at Wembley, and we still managed to compete at a high level. Yet the constraints on transfer spending meant we could only win one trophy, the FA Cup, and a Carabao Cup.
It’s a shame because we were winning every season despite the challenges, but we never got that final push to become champions." He noted that Tottenham went a record 18 months without a single signing, an unprecedented stretch in the Premier League, which limited their ability to challenge for the top spots. Five months after the Champions League final, Pochettino was dismissed by then‑chairman Daniel Levy following a poor start to the 2019‑20 campaign, and José Mourinho was appointed as his successor. After a brief stint at Paris Saint‑Germain, Pochettino returned to England as Chelsea’s head coach in May 2023. However, his tenure at Chelsea lasted just over a year; after finishing sixth, he was sacked amid the ongoing managerial turnover under the club’s new owners, BlueCo, who have also recently dismissed Liam Rosenior after only 23 games in charge.
When asked about the turbulence at Chelsea, Pochettino commented on BlueCo’s approach: "I think they have a plan, but it’s very different from the Roman Abramovich era. It’s not easy for outsiders to understand, and they need to communicate their strategy more clearly." Looking ahead, Pochettino is preparing to lead the United States national team at the 2026 World Cup, which will be co‑hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
Despite his commitments with the USMNT, the 54‑year‑old hinted that a return to the Premier League remains an ambition. "One day, yes, because I love England," he said.
"My personal and coaching profile fits well with the Premier League." Pochettino also elaborated on what he seeks when evaluating a new managerial project. He stressed the importance of transparency: "When a club offers me a role, I need to understand the reality – what they expect, what resources are available, and the overall philosophy.
At Tottenham, I understood the expectations from the start, but the situation became extremely difficult when external pressures interfered with internal decision‑making." He continued, "It’s tough when assessments come from outside the club and people start dictating how the team should perform. To be truly competitive, a manager needs time and autonomy to make strategic choices. Without that, it’s almost impossible to achieve the desired results." In summary, Pochettino’s emotional response underscores how deeply he feels connected to Tottenham, a club that shaped a significant chapter of his career.
While he acknowledges the hardships the team now faces, he also reflects on the achievements and constraints of his era, offering insight into the complexities of modern football management. His future aspirations remain focused on the Premier League, suggesting that despite the challenges, the North London club will always hold a special place in his heart.