Latest news with #Poch
Metro
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Win the Europa League final and Spurs have had a better year than Arsenal
If you're idly reading this, I can't imagine your life is so rigid. But then again if you are on the way to the Europa League final, perhaps the reading of every scrap concerned with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club is your priority, in which case congratulations, keep at it, you're doing a fantastic job. Personally, I find it near impossible to figure out how to prioritise anything in life. Except that if something must happen soon, then I seem to prioritise anything else that might possibly be around to do. Even the dishwasher, or fixing the broken toilet roll thingy. In the end the decision is generally made for me by the cruel march of time. The deadline arrives, it must be done. It's irritating. But it is also true that for most of us it is hard to easily tell what should – or should not – be prioritised to make our lives complete. Not so if you're a football club. Their priority is to win. And like many with the resources, but more painfully, perhaps, than all, if you are Tottenham Hotspur, your aim, long established, long derided, is to win silverware. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Tonight Tottenham return to a major European final for the first time since 2019. Their aim is a first European trophy in 41 years (well, 40 years 363 days actually). It is hard to express what this trophy would mean to this club. But, everything. Mauricio Pochettino is held in such high regard by Spurs supporters not just for that mad, beautiful Champions League run – in a season without signings – but for his decency and his commitment to treating the ambitions of Tottenham fans with respect. I will always love Poch, and whenever I see him making flirty little comments about the fanbase and the club, my Spurs group chats light up. We miss him still. But one area where he perhaps underestimated the fans' desire was in the yearning for a cup. He prioritised the league over going deep in domestic cup competitions, and we were rewarded – but never got to kick out the trophy cabinet mothballs or earn a rebuttal to the jokes. Ange Postecoglou understands this. Iron-clad self-belief can seem frightening up close, but his claim 'I always win something in my second year' is not just a (correct) boast, it is also a statement of intent and a source of pride and comfort to his squad: we will get there, it is ordained. He cannot know what will come to pass in Bilbao tonight. But that established refrain means we ride on confidence rather than desperation. Yes, despite it all. Clickbait chumps have demanded that the established bonus for winning the Europa League – a place in the Champions League – be stripped from either Tottenham or Manchester United because of their laughable positions in the Premier League table. And for both sets of fans this year much domestic football has been a humiliating grind. But Postecoglou has prioritised. I'm not trying to claim the league form is a deliberate trade, but he looked at what was available to him, identified the tasks ahead and had to choose. He chose right. And because the Europa League winner does earn Champions League football, sorry Keysy, tonight makes an irrelevance of the league finish. The Premier League form is not even really a compromise, except to the suffering of my eyes. Win tonight and no one can deny Spurs' season is better than that of repeat league runners-up Arsenal. More Trending And this is the difference between football as a job and football as a hobby. No one is rationing fans' word count or energy resources. It's perfectly fine to spend the whole season bemoaning Ange's lack of nous and then gloat ad nauseam if the cup is ours. Because practical realities mean nothing. It's like promising 0% immigration to the UK from Trump's golden elevator, rather than running the country. There is a plan, which this team and this manager have my utmost respect for making, whether or not it plays out tonight in Spurs' favour. See you in the Champions League next season, suckers. MORE: Is the Europa League final 2025 on YouTube? How to watch for free in the UK MORE: Manchester United receive triple injury boost ahead of Europa League final MORE: Tottenham vs Man Utd: Europa League final team news, predicted lineup and injuries
CNN
13-05-2025
- Sport
- CNN
Mauricio Pochettino Pochettino hopes to build on challenging start as USA coach
It has not been the easiest start to life for Mauricio Pochettino as Head Coach for the United States Men's National Team as the Argentine would have envisaged. Results have been disappointing as the one year to go mark to the 2026 World Cup quickly approaches, a tournament which will be hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. At CNN's Techwood location recently in Atlanta, Poch sat down with TNT Sports' Melissa Ortiz to discuss a range of topics, starting with the importance of the team's upcoming friendly matches against Türkiye and Switzerland.
Scottish Sun
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Why bookies are bonkers for making Pochettino to replace Postecoglou at Tottenham when ‘natural fit' a far easier deal
There are plenty of other contenders ready to make move to north London BACK TO THE FUTURE Why bookies are bonkers for making Pochettino to replace Postecoglou at Tottenham when 'natural fit' a far easier deal Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE bookies seem convinced. It will be Ange out this summer. And Poch back in. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The bookies reckon Mauricio Pochettino will take charge of Spurs this summer Credit: Getty 2 Ange Postecoglou has led Tottenham to the Europa League final Credit: Getty Yet while a return to N17 for Mauricio Pochettino at some point in time does have a feeling of inevitability, it is probably NOT now. The Argentine, sacked in 2019, just months after leading Spurs to the Champions League Final, has spoken of 'unfinished business' at the club. There is, within the Argentine, seemingly a desire to come back - and this time to land the silverware that so narrowly eluded him during his five years at the helm. He loves London, with a passion. Still, despite his season at Chelsea, loves Tottenham Hotspur. And there have been times over the past six years when you could see him rocking up back at Hotspur Way if the offer had come. But Poch is not going to walk out on his £4.5m per year job with the United States now, not with only 13 months to go before the Stars and Stripes are draped all over the World Cup Finals. Whether or not Daniel Levy wants to reopen the door - some might argue spin the revolving door given that Ange Postecoglou's departure will spend the end of the fourth permanent reign since Pochettino was fired - the logistics are against it taking place. Levy and Spurs cannot afford a repeat of the 2021 debacle that ended with Nuno Espirito Santos appointed after all the other preferred candidates turned the club down. BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS If and when - and it's surely a when - Ange gets the boot, there HAS to be a near-instant replacement announced. That's despite the Aussie setting up a Europa League final against Manchester United that guarantees the winner a place in next season's Champions League. 'I'd dive head first through a brick wall for him' - Ange Postecoglou's rallying speech reduces Tottenham fans to tears It is suggested that Pochettino's US deal has a £20m set of golden handcuffs attached. That's simply too great a price for Spurs to pay, especially if they have no European football to plug the financial gap next term. Poch has been criticised for the lack of development of his side, humiliated into fourth place in March's Nations League Finals when they lost to both Panama and Canada. But US Soccer have invested too much in him to even consider a change of jockey before the Concacaf Gold Cup they are hosting in the summer. Drawn alongside Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti and guest side Saudi Arabia, it is almost inconceivable that the US will not at least make the last eight, played at the end of June, just days before Spurs will be due back for the start of pre-season training. Even if the US blow up again, Levy and Tottenham cannot wait that long to have a manager in place. So where might a punter look to have a dip in the market? Managers who could replace Big Ange There's plenty of big names in the running... Mauricio Pochettino Andoni Iraola Marco Silva Thomas Frank Edin Terzic Xavi Hernandez Oliver Glasner Levy and his boardroom colleagues will have had their own thoughts - and have unsurprisingly kept them private. But it does seem that Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola has fallen down the list of potential runners and riders - his style and approach is perhaps too similar to the Postecoglou model. Fulham's Marco Silva and Thomas Frank at Brentford are two genuine contenders already in the capital, while former Dortmund boss Edin Terzic now has a London-based agent looking out for his interests. There was a market plunge for Xavi Hernandez a few weeks ago, too. That would be an ambitious move, for sure. But a risky one. Perhaps, then, the man who will be heading to the away dug-out and dressing room on Sunday might be emerging as the best bet for the home versions next term. Oliver Glasner made an instant impact when he replaced Roy Hodgson in 2024 and has bounced back from a rocky start to this season - when his side struggled to cope with the absence of Michael Olise and injuries hampering Eberezi Eze and Adam Wharton - to lead the Eagles to the FA Cup Final. Austrian Glasner's preferred back three system might seem a natural fit for a club whose full-backs are all natural wing-backs while he has also tasted European success guiding Frankfurt to the Europa League in 2022. Would Glasner swap Selhurst for Tottenham High Road? You would think so. Despite the shape of the Prem table, few would deny it is a step up. And it would be a far easier deal for Spurs than trying to prise Poch out of the US. Sometimes you have to remember football is the art of the possible.
The Irish Sun
09-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Why bookies are bonkers for making Pochettino to replace Postecoglou at Tottenham when ‘natural fit' a far easier deal
THE bookies seem convinced. It will be Ange out this summer. And Poch back in. Advertisement 2 The bookies reckon Mauricio Pochettino will take charge of Spurs this summer Credit: Getty 2 Ange Postecoglou has led Tottenham to the Europa League final Credit: Getty Yet while a return to N17 for Mauricio Pochettino at some point in time does have a feeling of inevitability, it is probably NOT now. The Argentine, sacked in 2019, just months after leading There is, within the Argentine, seemingly a desire to come back - and this time to land the silverware that so narrowly eluded him during his five years at the helm. He loves London, with a passion. Still, despite his season at Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL And there have been times over the past six years when you could see him rocking up back at Hotspur Way if the offer had come. But Poch is not going to walk out on his £4.5m per year job with the United States now, not with only 13 months to go before the Stars and Stripes are draped all over the World Cup Finals. Whether or not Daniel Levy wants to reopen the door - some might argue spin the revolving door given that Ange Postecoglou's departure will spend the end of the fourth permanent reign since Pochettino was fired - the logistics are against it taking place. Levy and Spurs cannot afford a repeat of the 2021 debacle that ended with Nuno Espirito Santos appointed after all the other preferred candidates turned the club down. Advertisement Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS If and when - and it's surely a when - Ange gets the boot, there HAS to be a near-instant replacement announced. That's despite the Aussie setting up a Europa League final against Manchester United that guarantees the winner a place in next season's Champions League. 'I'd dive head first through a brick wall for him' - Ange Postecoglou's rallying speech reduces Tottenham fans to tears It is suggested that Pochettino's US deal has a £20m set of golden handcuffs attached. Advertisement That's simply too great a price for Spurs to pay, especially if they have no European football to plug the financial gap next term. Poch has been criticised for the lack of development of his side, humiliated into fourth place in March's Nations League Finals when they lost to both Panama and Canada. But US Soccer have invested too much in him to even consider a change of jockey before the Concacaf Gold Cup they are hosting in the summer. Drawn alongside Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti and guest side Saudi Arabia, it is almost inconceivable that the US will not at least make the last eight, played at the end of June, just days before Spurs will be due back for the start of pre-season training. Advertisement Even if the US blow up again, Levy and Tottenham cannot wait that long to have a manager in place. So where might a punter look to have a dip in the market? Managers who could replace Big Ange There's plenty of big names in the running... Mauricio Pochettino Andoni Iraola Marco Silva Thomas Frank Edin Terzic Xavi Hernandez Oliver Glasner Levy and his boardroom colleagues will have had their own thoughts - and have unsurprisingly kept them private. But it does seem that Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola has fallen down the list of potential runners and riders - his style and approach is perhaps too similar to the Postecoglou model. Advertisement Fulham's Marco Silva and Thomas Frank at Brentford are two genuine contenders already in the capital, while former Dortmund boss Edin Terzic now has a London-based agent looking out for his interests. There was a market plunge for Xavi Hernandez a few weeks ago, too. That would be an ambitious move, for sure. But a risky one. Perhaps, then, the man who will be heading to the away dug-out and dressing room on Sunday might be emerging as the best bet for the home versions next term. Oliver Glasner made an instant impact when he replaced Roy Hodgson in 2024 and has bounced back from a rocky start to this season - when his side struggled to cope with the absence of Michael Olise and injuries hampering Eberezi Eze and Adam Wharton - to lead the Eagles to the FA Cup Final. Advertisement Austrian Glasner's preferred back three system might seem a natural fit for a club whose full-backs are all natural wing-backs while he has also tasted European success guiding Frankfurt to the Europa League in 2022. Would Glasner swap Selhurst for Tottenham High Road? You would think so. Despite the shape of the Prem table, few would deny it is a step up. And it would be a far easier deal for Spurs than trying to prise Poch out of the US. Sometimes you have to remember football is the art of the possible. Advertisement
USA Today
25-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Yokohama F. Marinos vs. Al Nassr: How to watch AFC Champions League, live stream
Yokohama F. Marinos vs. Al Nassr: How to watch AFC Champions League, live stream Show Caption Hide Caption New USMNT coach shares philosophy for making team a contender in 2026 World Cup Mauricio Pochettino has a lot of work to do to turn around the U.S. Men's National Team before America hosts the 2026 World Cup. "Poch" walks us through his plans. Al Nassr will face Yokohama F Marinos in the Asian Champions League Elite quarterfinal on Saturday. Al Nassr fell to Al Ain in the quarterfinal last season, as the Saudi side continues to chase its first trophy since Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival in 2022. Ronaldo has continued to be prolific even after turning 40 earlier this year. The Portuguese star broke the Saudi Pro League's scoring record last season with 35 goals and tops the chart again this season. Watch Yokohama F. Marinos vs. Al Nassr on Paramount+ But Al Nassr's last hope at avoiding another trophy-less season comes in the form of the Champions League, with the club eight points behind first-place Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League. Al Nassr will be favored to get past Yokohama F Marinos, which is currently bottom of the league in Japan after a 1W-5D-6L start. The winner of this tie will face the winner between Kawasaki Frontale and Al Sadd in the semifinal. Here is everything you need to know ahead of the match. Yokohama F. Marinos vs. Al Nassr (AFC Champions League) When: Saturday, April 26 Saturday, April 26 Where: Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) Prince Abdullah Al Faisal Stadium (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia) Time: 3:30 p.m. ET 3:30 p.m. ET Channel/streaming: Paramount+ (WATCH LIVE) We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. Pro Soccer Wire operates independently, though, and this doesn't influence our coverage.
