Frank’s Departure and Pochettino’s Potential Return to Tottenham

omidbasir- Danish tactician Frank was relieved of his duties on February 11 after overseeing just 38 games in charge. The club has appointed former Juventus and Marseille manager Igor Tudor as interim head coach until the end of the season, at which point a permanent replacement will be determined.

There have been discussions about the possibility of Mauricio Pochettino returning to Tottenham Hotspur, where he enjoyed a successful five-year tenure that included a run to the Champions League final before his departure in 2019. Currently, he is managing the United States national team as they prepare for a home World Cup.

However, former Spurs striker Bobby Zamora expresses skepticism regarding Pochettino’s suitability for the role at this time. He highlighted the potential complications posed by Pochettino’s international responsibilities, noting in an interview with GOAL: “He can’t start until after the World Cup. If you are his nation, you are saying ‘I don’t want you taking your eye off the ball’. I know you’re not full-time, every single day in the office, but I would be saying I don’t want you distracted.

“Although he’s the fans’ favorite and they want him back, it’s a tricky situation. I believe someone like Pochettino would require time and a proper pre-season. With the World Cup looming, many players may not return until late July, and they will likely desire at least two weeks off. This situation poses a challenge for any incoming manager. While Pochettino had a tremendous experience at Spurs, the ending was not ideal, which is understandable given the fans’ desire for his return.”

Tottenham is not the only club facing high-profile vacancies this summer, with Manchester United and Real Madrid also seeking new leadership. There are discussions of potential changes at Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain as well.

When asked about Pochettino’s options as his contract with the USMNT expires, Zamora remarked that while he may have other opportunities, Tottenham remains a significant choice, stating: “It’s a huge club, and he has fond memories there. The infrastructure is exceptional, but they have struggled to resolve the final piece of the puzzle over the past six to seven years. It remains unclear what will enable them to succeed.”

Former Spurs player and coach Tim Sherwood is confident that Pochettino will be approached this summer, asserting on Sky Sports: “We know who is coming in – it will be Pochettino, 100 percent. I do not think the club will be brave enough to consider anyone else. There are other options, but the pressure on another candidate who might not perform could lead to calls for Poch’s return.”

Pochettino himself has previously expressed a desire to return to English football, stating to BBC Sport: “The Premier League is the best league in the world. Of course, I miss it. I am happy in America, but I also think about returning to the Premier League one day. It’s the most competitive league.”

Currently, Spurs find themselves in a challenging position, sitting 16th in the Premier League table, just five points above the relegation zone, despite advancing to the last 16 of the Champions League following Ange Postecoglou’s Europa League success last season. Tudor will face a formidable challenge in his first match, as Tottenham prepares to host arch-rivals Arsenal, who currently lead the league, in an eagerly anticipated north London derby this Sunday.