MAURICIO POCHETTINO has emerged as a surprise candidate to take over European giants Real Madrid at the start of next season.
The former Spurs and Chelsea boss currently manages the US men’s national team, and will lead them at the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
But that has not stopped Los Blancos from placing him on a shortlist of candidates for the future, according to reports from ESPN.
Real Madrid sacked former Prem star Xabi Alonso in January after nine months in charge, replacing him with reserves coach Alvaro Arbeloa.
The details of that deal, including how long it will run for, were not announced publicly.
But ESPN claim that there are hints that Arbeloa was never intended to be the long-term option.
Instead they are said to be weighing up a number of options to take over at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Pochettino personally admired by club president Florentino Perez.
The interest would represent a serious blow to Spurs as they attempt to navigate themselves out of their current crisis.
The North Londoners were heavily linked with their former manager after sacking Thomas Frank in February after the Dane dragged the side into a relegation scrap.
They eventually elected to move forward with Igor Tudor in hopes that he could right the ship at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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But things have gotten off to a poor start for Tudor, who has lost each of his first three Premier League matches with the club.
Whether it be as another emergency replacement, or as an option for the summer should Tudor manage to keep Spurs afloat in the Prem, Pochettino has remained a popular choice among fans for the permanent job.
Chants were heard at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium calling for his appointment even before Frank was dismissed.
And that sentiment is clearly still going strong, with a group of fans seen chanting directly at the man himself about a return to the club.
Video from talkSPORT showed a number of Spurs fans chanting “He’s magic, you know, Mauricio Pochettino” after ending up on a flight with the coach on the way to watch the club’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid.
The Argentine can be seen smiling back and waving at the fans, who doubled down by saying “we want you back Mauricio, we want you back.”
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