The USMNT head coach, who oversaw one of Spurs’ best periods in recent history, has full faith that his former side will avoid relegation
Tottenham Hotspur are on course for one of their worst seasons in their history, where relegation from the Premier League is a real possibility as they hover above the drop zone with seven games remaining.
The club on Monday announced it had parted ways with head coach Igor Tudor after just 44 days in the role in which he managed just one point out of seven league matches.
It has long been believed that Tottenham’s plan was to hire a short-term coach in Tudor to see out the rest of the season before re-hiring Mauricio Pochettino, who guided Spurs through one of their best ever Premier League spells between 2014 and 2019.
That plan, however, now looks unlikely as Spurs are looking at long-term options who can rescue the club between now and the end of the season
Pochettino, now head coach of the United States men’s national team heading into the World Cup hosted in North America, spoke ahead of his side’s friendly with Portugal, where he stated his full confidence in Spurs surviving the drop, regardless of whether they have a manager in the dugout.
“Of course, that’s my wish, and I’m sure they will stay up – with a coach or without a coach – because of the players – because I think Tottenham have unbelievable players. It’s a club with fans who will do anything to create that energy to win,” he said at a press conference.
“Of course, it’s going to be tough because the synergy and dynamics is difficult. But with or without a coach, I think they have the capacity to win. And I really believe in that.
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“We’re going to be here with full focus on the World Cup. But if you ask me about that club – it’s a club that I really care about – and for sure I really trust they are going to stay in the Premier League.”
“It’s a club that I really care about and I really trust they will stay in the league” 🗣️
Mauricio Pochettino believes Tottenham Hotspur will avoid relegation from the Premier League “with or without the club” ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/Wa7m0rzDg8
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 31, 2026
Who will be the next Tottenham manager?
While there looked to be a strong chance of Pochettino taking over after the World Cup, the likeliest scenario now appears in hiring a long-term manager from now.
The current favourite appears to be former Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi, whose most recent job was with Marseille in Ligue 1, and departed the French club in February.
Pochettino has, on various occasions, stated his desire to coach in the Premier League again, particularly at Tottenham, where he feels he has unfinished business after guiding the club to a 2nd place finish, and a runners-up medal in the 2018/19 Champions League.