Mauricio Pochettino has moved to dampen speculation linking him with a swift return to Tottenham Hotspur, following Ange Postecoglou's dismissal on Friday. The Argentine, currently managing the United States men's national team (USMNT), acknowledged the persistent rumors but stressed that a return to Spurs is "not realistic" at this moment.

Postecoglou's departure, just two years into his tenure, sent shockwaves through the Tottenham fanbase, who had witnessed a mixed bag of results, culminating in a Europa League title. Despite the silverware, Tottenham's domestic performance was deemed unsatisfactory, leading to the manager's sacking. This immediately ignited speculation about potential replacements, with Pochettino's name unsurprisingly near the top of many lists.

Pochettino, who managed Tottenham from 2014 to 2019, remains a popular figure at the club. He guided Spurs to a Champions League final and consistently challenged for a top-four finish in the Premier League. His departure in 2019 was met with disappointment by many fans, and the possibility of a return has often been discussed since.

However, Pochettino's current commitment to the USMNT appears to be a significant obstacle. He signed a two-year contract in September 2024, with the primary goal of leading the team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This commitment makes an immediate return to club management highly unlikely.

Speaking after the USMNT's recent 2-1 defeat to Turkey, Pochettino addressed the Tottenham rumors directly. "After I left in 2019, every time that I was free, and the place of the position of the manager or head coach in Tottenham Hotspur, my name is appearing on the list," he said. "If you have seen the rumors, I think there are 100 coaches in the list. I think, don't be worried about that."

He further emphasized his focus on his current role, stating, "If something happened, you for sure you will see, but we cannot talk about this type of thing, because I think today, it's not real. It's not realistic. And look at where I am, where we are. And the thing is, the answer is so clear, no?"

Despite downplaying the immediate possibility of a return, Pochettino has previously spoken fondly of his time at Tottenham and has admitted that he would like to return to the club one day. "To be honest, the day that I left the club always I was thinking one day to come back," he said earlier this year. "It's not that I was thinking before the offer from the USA national team, I was thinking to come back."

For now, however, Pochettino's focus remains firmly on the USMNT and their preparations for the 2026 World Cup. While a Tottenham return may be a possibility in the future, it seems unlikely to happen in the immediate aftermath of Postecoglou's departure.