Mauricio Pochettino travels to Spain as Real Madrid shortlist USMNT boss

Tom Weber

• 10 Mar 2026 19:00 GMT
• 4 min read

News

United States Men's National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino has travelled to Spain to watch Atletico Madrid take on Tottenham amid reports that he has been shortlisted by Real Madrid.

The Argentine is currently in the midst of preparing for a World Cup on home soil, but speculation surrounding his future is rampant. Pochettino is expected to leave his role as USMNT boss this summer and return to the club game.

The 54-year-old has made no secret of the fact that his heart belongs to club football, and he has openly flirted with a return to Tottenham, who will be on the lookout for a new head coach this summer.

Igor Tudor is currently in interim charge of the team after replacing Thomas Frank. The Croatian, however, is only under contract until the end of the season and will be replaced, especially if Spurs' disastrous form continues.

Pochettino is understood to feature prominently on the North London club's shortlist of new managers, but they are not his only admirers. According to ESPN, the ex-PSG boss is also well-liked by all-powerful Real Madrid president Florentino Perez.

Pochettino travels to Spain

Pochettino's previous experience in LaLiga and his existing relationship with Kylian Mbappe, whom he coached during his time in France, are two major positives in the eyes of Los Blancos chiefs.

Current head coach Alvaro Arbeloa, who is not formally an interim boss, would need a "miracle" to stay in the job, the report states. He is still on his Castilla contract, which runs until 2027, so he could be allowed to take charge of the reserves again in the summer.

The World Cup, of course, complicates things for Pochettino. If he takes the US beyond the round of 32, he will miss the start of pre-season in July, which could work against him.

Clubs generally prefer to have their coaches in place in June to give them enough time to get acquainted with the team and to thoroughly plan their pre-season preparations.

Interestingly, the Argentine has travelled to Spain's capital to watch Atletico Madrid take on his former side Tottenham in the Champions League round of 16 today.

Pochettino has been invited by Atleti to watch USMNT midfielder Johnny Cardoso, while Anchorage-born January signing Obed Vargas could technically still file a one-time switch to represent the US, as he is under 21 and has to date only made three senior appearances for Mexico.

On the plane to Madrid, Pochettino was spotted by Tottenham fans who chanted his name and told him "we want you back," which prompted a smile and a wave from the former Spurs boss.

In order to appoint him, though, the North London side may have to beat off competition from Real Madrid.

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