USMNT Slaps Massive Price Tag on Pochettino as Tottenham Circles for Shock Return
Tottenham Hotspur have allegedly identified Mauricio Pochettino as their "perfect managerial target" following the sudden termination of Thomas Frank's appointment, though securing the U.S. national team coach would require a "massive," potentially unprecedented compensation payment to release him from his contract ahead of this summer's World Cup.
Pochettino's agreement extends through the completion of the tournament that will be jointly staged by the United States, Canada and Mexico. Every aspect of Pochettino's 17-month leadership of the USMNT has been specifically focused on the global competition taking place on American territory, though he has openly expressed his ambition to resume club coaching.
Multiple Tottenham board members reportedly continue to "hold Pochettino in high regard" and seek to hire him "without delay," as reported by The Independent. Nevertheless, such a move would carry significant financial implications.
When discussions about breaking Pochettino's contract first emerged last year, BBC Sport cited a United States Soccer Federation insider who suggested it would require "among the largest managerial compensation packages in soccer history" for any club to secure the 53-year-old's release.
Most Expensive Managers in Soccer History
Most Expensive Managers in Soccer History
Tottenham are well-versed in making substantial investments for managerial appointments. Securing Thomas Frank along with his complete coaching staff from Brentford required £6.7 million ($9.2 million). Yet reports suggest obtaining Pochettino would demand more than three times that amount.
The generous contract terms that the former Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea manager negotiated with the USSF reportedly provides him with an annual wage of £4.6 million. The agreement also includes a release clause estimated at approximately £21.7 million, similar to what Bayern Munich paid for Julian Nagelsmann in 2021.
The Premier League's most costly managerial signing remains Chelsea's acquisition of Graham Potter from Brighton & Hove Albion in 2022, costing around £21.5 million. The highly-regarded strategist updated his appearance but ultimately damaged his standing during a catastrophic 31-match period. Excluding his wages, that amounts to roughly £700,000 per game.
Would Mauricio Pochettino Dump the USMNT Four Months Out From the World Cup?
Would Mauricio Pochettino Dump the USMNT Four Months Out From the World Cup?
Pochettino has been transparent about his intentions. "I would like one day to come back," the former Spurs manager candidly stated to Sky Sports last March.
"Look, when I left the club I always remember one interview I said I would like one day to come back to Tottenham and that is of course..." he paused mid-sentence. "I am in the USA, I am not going to ... no, I'm not going to talk about that, but what I said then still after six years or five years, I still feel in my heart that, yes, I would like one day to come back."
This clear position regarding a return to N17 was certainly connected to Daniel Levy's presence, the club's previous chairman with whom Pochettino maintains a "strong relationship." However, Levy departed his role in September, establishing a restructured leadership team without clear connections to the USMNT manager.
That development hasn't diminished Pochettino's Premier League aspirations.
As late as December, the Argentine manager expressed openness to resuming club management in England. "The Premier League is the best in the world," he declared enthusiastically. "Of course I miss it. I am so happy in the USA, but I am always thinking about returning one day. It is the most competitive league, and of course I would love to come back again."
Despite the public interest, Pochettino is reportedly "completely dedicated" to the USMNT, according to BBC Sport.