Mauricio Pochettino reveals hopes of Tottenham return despite 'painful' ending at the club - and admits he 'made mistakes' in his final year
- Mauricio Pochettino led Tottenham to the Champions League final in 2019
- Six years on, he has admitted he still keeps a close eye on the north London club
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Maurico Pochettino has revealed how he still longs to return and complete unfinished business at Tottenham.
Pochettino, now head coach of the USA with a contract until next year's World Cup, enjoyed five successful years at Spurs before his sacking in 2019 less than six months after leading them to the Champions League final.
'In the bottom of my heart, I still feel the same,' said the 53-year-old Argentina. 'I would like one day to come back. Not because of my ego, it is because my feeling is I would like one day to win with Tottenham. We were so close, and it was so painful.'
Pochettino, who led Chelsea to sixth in the Premier League last season, finished as runners-up with Spurs in 2017. They became regulars in the Champions League despite financial restrictions in the transfer market connected to building the new stadium and lodging at Wembley.
'We were involved in improving the facilities, training ground, stadium,' said Pochettino. 'Not signing a player for 18 months because the focus was on other things. I was involved in that. I agreed with that. The problem was this type of journey creates a lot of friction for different reasons.
'Also, I made mistakes. The good thing is when you are clever you learn from your mistakes. It's like when a relationship finishes. I feel empty. I feel so disappointed. With everyone but also with myself because I didn't manage well and when that happens it's part of my responsibility.
Mauricio Pochettino has revealed his hopes of 'one day' returning to manage Tottenham
The Argentine spent five and a half years in charge of Tottenham before his 2019 exit
'Now Tottenham is a club with an expectation to win because if you see the facilities – training ground or stadium – now you can see it is about winning trophies.
'That's why I would like one day to come back with all the possibilities again to build something special. If that doesn't happen, it doesn't happen. But that is my feeling, and it didn't change. It is always going to be a special club for me.'
Spurs, without a trophy since 2008, have suffered a difficult season under Ange Postecoglou, blighted by injuries and currently 14th in the Premier League. Fans are turning on Postecoglou although they are still in the Europa League, with a quarter final against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Pochettino is committed to the USA until the World Cup next year but expects to be back one day in club football.
'When, we don't know,' he says. 'Six months, one year, 10 years, in football I sign a contract but after that we don't know because it's not sure you will spend the whole contract. Players know but coaches don't.'
