Could the dream duo be reformed?

On the 20th (Korean time), the British 'Caught Offside' reported, "Daniel Levy, the chairman, was spotted at a cafe in London with Mauricio Pochettino," adding that "the meeting between the two is particularly significant in light of Tottenham's recent struggles."

Although Pochettino is currently leading the U.S. soccer team, he has continuously expressed his affection for Tottenham. In a recent interview with 'Sky Sports,' he said, "I always wanted to return to Tottenham someday when I left. That feeling remains unchanged," indirectly revealing his desire for a comeback.

However, considering he is currently a manager, he has avoided making additional comments. Nevertheless, for a soccer manager, the national team remains an option for the future. In fact, most renowned coaches have recently shown a preference for club soccer over national teams.

Pochettino's entry into the U.S. was not by choice. After taking charge of Tottenham in 2014, he led the team until 2019, creating an extraordinary peak period. He is a key figure in Tottenham's history, achieving the Premier League runner-up position (2016-2017 season) and reaching the Champions League final (2018-2019 season). In particular, he showcased exceptional leadership in nurturing young players like Harry Kane, Dele Alli, and Son Heung-min.

In the 2019-2020 season, Tottenham fell into a slump. Due to below-expectation player reinforcements, injuries to key players, and poor early-season performance, Pochettino was ultimately dismissed. Since then, several managers have taken charge of the team, including José Mourinho, Antonio Conte, and the current manager, Ange Postecoglou, but Tottenham is still far from winning the league.

After leaving Tottenham, Pochettino managed Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Chelsea. He won the Ligue 1 title with PSG, but did not achieve satisfactory results in the Champions League, and he was dismissed after just one season at Chelsea, leaving disappointment behind. He is currently in charge of the U.S. national team, preparing for the 2026 World Cup.

There are no issues with the World Cup itself, but consistently competing in the U.S., which is considered a peripheral area of soccer, is a burden. Pochettino has repeatedly expressed his intention to return to club soccer. Notably, his strong desire to return to Tottenham has been confirmed through several interviews. His statement, "The connection with Tottenham is special. I want to achieve the goals we couldn’t accomplish," continues to raise expectations among many fans.

However, the current situation at Tottenham is significantly different from the past. All key players who played alongside Pochettino, such as Kane, Eriksen, Lloris, and Vertonghen, have left the team, and challenges remain in adapting to a new system. Conversely, the need for rebuilding could also align with Pochettino's situation.

With the ongoing struggles under Postecoglou's management, voices are rising for a change in Tottenham's current situation. This raises the possibility that Pochettino may once again take charge of the team. However, it remains uncertain whether Chairman Levy would choose him again.

While it is merely a possibility, Pochettino's return could serve as a starting point to mark the end of Tottenham's rebuilding centered around Son Heung-min. It will be interesting to see if Pochettino can return to Tottenham and have a happy ending with Son Heung-min.

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