Mauricio Pochettino sends message to Tottenham owners amid return rumours

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Evening Standard

·9 February 2026

Mauricio Pochettino sends message to Tottenham owners amid return rumours

Argentine has been linked with a return to north London

Mauricio Pochettino has talked up Tottenham’s title ambitions amid speculation of a return to north London this summer.

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Pochettino enjoyed an impressive, but ultimately trophyless, five-and-a-half-year stint at Spurs between 2014 and 2019, which included two title races and, in his final season in charge, a run to the Champions League final.

The Argentine has since managed at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, and will lead the United States into a home World Cup this summer.

However, rumours of a return to Spurs have not disappeared. With current incumbent Thomas Frank under pressure, there is a growing sense that Pochettino could make a fairytale return to the club where he cemented his reputation as one of Europe’s most revered coaches.

Talking on the High Performance Podcast, Pochettino said he believed Spurs, who currently sit six points outside the relegation zone, should be challenging for Champions League and Premier League titles.

“To win a Europa League, that the team won, is good, but it’s not enough. It is not enough to challenge for the Carabao Cup, or the FA Cup, or the Europa League, or the Conference [League],” Pochettino said.

“It’s a club that should be, or needs to be because the fans, what they expect is, to be in the Champions League, fighting for the Champions League, trying to believe that you can win the Champions League and also fighting for the Premier League and believing that you can win the Premier League.”

Spurs supporters have not only been left frustrated with results and performances under Frank this season, but also the Dane’s perceived lack of ambition.

Frank has routinely talked down Spurs’ ambitions this term, admitting that the club are in transition despite lifting their first trophy in 17 years in May.

By contrast, Pochettino, who remains very popular at Spurs six years on from leaving the club, believes his former employers should be holding themselves to a higher standard.

Spurs still holds a special place in Pochettino’s heart and he was unequivocal when asked which club meant the most to him and his assistant, Jesus Perez.

“It is very simple: Tottenham,” Pochettino continued.

“Still, the people on the street, the fans of Tottenham, really show the love and the appreciation, and I think that is why it’s so special.”