Mauricio Pochettino Could Return to Tottenham as Manager After Thomas Frank Sacking to Rescue Premier League Campaign in London

Tottenham fans may have reason to dream again as Mauricio Pochettino is being tipped for a sensational return to the club following the sacking of Thomas Frank.

Ian Ladyman, Daily Mail Football Editor, has suggested that Pochettino could be back in charge after the 2026 World Cup, where he is currently managing the USA national team.

Why Pochettino’s Return Makes Sense

Pochettino enjoyed a hugely successful spell in north London, taking Spurs to the 2019 Champions League final during a five-year tenure.

Despite being controversially sacked in November 2019, he still boasts the third-highest win percentage in the club’s Premier League history at 55.9%.

Ladyman told Whistleblowers co-hosts Mark Clattenburg and Gordon Smart that the Argentine’s return seems almost inevitable.

“I would be amazed if it’s not Pochettino managing Spurs next season,” Ladyman said.

He also suggested that an interim manager could be installed to see the club through the remainder of this season and secure Premier League survival.

Thomas Frank’s Departure and Its Implications

Tottenham parted ways with Frank after a dismal run in 2026, failing to win any of their eight Premier League matches under his management.

The club now sits in 16th place, just five points above the relegation zone.

Ladyman acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, noting Frank’s respect across the game, but emphasized the necessity of safeguarding the club’s top-flight status.

“To protect their immediate future, they sadly had to sack a bloke who most people in my industry think a great deal of,” he said.

The next fixture against Arsenal at home is crucial, with West Ham also climbing points beneath Spurs, adding pressure to secure survival in the Premier League.

Squad Concerns and Champions League Performance

According to Ladyman, sources close to Tottenham have indicated that the squad is simply not up to Premier League standards.

While Spurs have performed admirably in the Champions League, he pointed out that much of their success came against weaker opposition.

Citing football journalist Martin Samuel, Ladyman highlighted that Tottenham’s victories came against teams ranked far lower: Copenhagen (31st), Frankfurt (33rd), Slavia Prague (34th), and Villarreal (35th).

“They beat the teams they should have beaten,” Ladyman explained. “They can’t beat Premier League teams.

Their expected goals (XGs) at home are embarrassingly low.”

Pochettino’s Unfinished Business

The lure of returning to Tottenham is clear for Pochettino, who left a legacy of near-successes both domestically and in Europe.

Ladyman believes the former Spurs manager will not remain with the USA after the World Cup and that the club should move quickly to secure him for the summer.

“If I were in charge of Tottenham, I would hire an interim manager between now and the end of the season, just to keep them up.

If that interim can perform a miracle in the Champions League and get to a quarter final, then great,” he added.

What’s Next?

Tottenham now faces a critical period.

An interim manager is likely to be appointed to navigate the relegation battle and stabilize the squad before the summer.

Attention will inevitably turn to whether Pochettino can return and bring long-term stability to the club.

Fans will also be watching transfer plans, squad improvements, and how Spurs handle their remaining Premier League fixtures.

With Arsenal and other top-flight rivals looming, every game counts in avoiding relegation and building momentum for the potential return of a familiar managerial figure.

Summary

Mauricio Pochettino is tipped to make a sensational return to Tottenham after Thomas Frank’s sacking following a winless Premier League run in 2026.

Ian Ladyman suggests an interim manager may be appointed to safeguard Spurs’ top-flight status while Pochettino finishes his duties with the USA national team at the 2026 World Cup.

The club’s Champions League performance has been strong, but largely against lower-ranked opponents, exposing weaknesses in their Premier League form.

Pochettino’s return would mark a reunion with a manager who previously guided Spurs to a Champions League final and achieved the third-highest win percentage in club history.

The coming months will be decisive for Tottenham’s survival, squad development, and the potential rekindling of one of the club’s most successful managerial relationships.