Pochettino has ‘one left-field option’ aside from Tottenham but Levy’s stance on return is very clear

Mauricio Pochettino reportedly only has ‘one left-field option’ aside from Tottenham but Daniel Levy would be ‘extremely interested’ in bringing him back.

Pochettino enjoyed a stellar spell in charge of Tottenham between 2014 and 2019. He guided them to their first Champions League final during his time in charge.

The 50-year-old has gone on to endure a troublesome spell in charge of Ligue 1 giants PSG. He was sacked in July 2022 and he has been out of work since.

The Argentinian was linked with Man Utd before they opted to appoint Erik ten Hag. He is also being linked with a return to Tottenham as Antonio Conte’s long-term future at the club remains uncertain.

Ben Jacobs is reporting that Pochettino is ‘willing to wait until the end of the season’ for his next job so a move to Everton or Leeds was ‘never a possibility’.

‘My understanding is that he does not want to be dragged into a relegation battle or join a club without European football and that’s especially true mid-season,’ Jacobs wrote for Caught Offside.

‘That’s why Everton was never a possibility and the same can be said for Leeds. A Southampton return also won’t happen with Jesse Marsch now very close to replacing Nathan Jones.

‘Pochettino’s mentality is that he’s willing to wait until the end of the season and assess what’s available in a calmer environment, and see if he can start a job that gives him a full pre-season.’

Jacobs adds that Pochettino would be a ‘very serious candidate’ to take over at Tottenham if Conte leaves, while a move to West Ham is a ‘left-field option’.

‘There’s been talk of a Tottenham return and my understanding is that Daniel Levy would be extremely open to bringing Pochettino back should Antonio Conte leave,’ Jacobs added.

‘There’s nothing totally defined yet in terms of Conte’s future, and Spurs are relaxed about the situation with all parties ready to wait to see how the project develops. But come March or April we should know where Spurs and Conte stand.

‘If the Italian leaves, Pochettino will be a very serious candidate and he remains in touch with Levy. He won’t be the only name on the list, but he would, for example, be ahead of Thomas Tuchel, who Spurs don’t consider the right fit. Pochettino is also monitoring the situations at both Real (where he’s been linked before) and Atletico Madrid.

‘With Chelsea, before they employed Graham Potter, Pochettino was the other name the club…