Pochettino tipped to quit USA role as Spurs rumours grow – but there’s a ‘problem’

Robin Bairner

• 30 Mar 2026 13:01 CDT
• 4 min read

News

Mauricio Pochettino has been tipped to quit his role as USMNT head coach – but that does not automatically mean he will be heading back to Tottenham.

Former US goalkeeper Kasey Keller says that he could “definitely” see Pochettino leaving his current role after the 2026 World Cup, although he believes this might be too late for Tottenham to profit from his talents.

Spurs have been linked with a move for the Argentine amid their relegation battle from the Premier League, with the 54-year-old their most successful manager in recent years thanks to a succession of strong Premier League finishes and a run to the 2019 Champions League final.

“Will Mauricio Pochettino leave his role as USMNT manager? I definitely see him quitting after the World Cup,” Keller, a former goalkeeper at Spurs, told Jackpot Casino.

“With Tottenham Hotspur, the problem, I think, is if they could entice Pochettino to quit the World Cup right now, and I could see that happening. I think they may try to hold on, but I don't think they can. I don't think they can continue down the path right now without hiring somebody and have the unthinkable happen. I think, like unfortunately, for most things - goalkeepers and managers it happens that way because there is only one with you.

“Timing is so important, I think if Spurs could get a couple of wins in the next couple of matches - obviously the Forest match what a disaster - then you think hold off, wait until after the World Cup and then have conversations.

“I think Spurs need to make a real serious move right now or the unthinkable is possible.”

How far can Pochettino take USMNT at the World Cup?

Keller is predicting a successful World Cup for the USA under Pochettino, despite a 5-2 loss against Belgium on Saturday.

“I don't think anyone suspects USMNT can win the World Cup. But it's a squad Mauricio Pochettino took some time to figure out, he kind of opened it up to a bunch of people and the results didn't follow, and then you saw over the last several camps that it has come right back down to where you thought it was going to be from day one and the results have followed,” he explained.

“Like any World Cup, you need your stars to perform, you need your role players to do their role and then you need a handful of surprises. You need that player, like where did you come from, where did these performances come from.

“You need luck too. If you're playing against a big boy, you need them to have some sort of internal problem going on that you don't know about. Maybe you need just one of those crazy games where your goalkeeper has a great game.

“I think the US should do fine. I think we're just confused about how it will play out, the expanded player pool, three different countries, and there are some X-factors involved here that we haven't seen before.”

The USMNT will be in Group D at the 2026 World Cup alongside Paraguay, Australia and a qualifier.

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