Daniel Levy 'has major doubts about re-hiring Mauricio Pochettino'

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 21 March 2023

Levy 'has major doubts about re-hiring Pochettino'

Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy has 'major reservations' about re-appointing Mauricio Pochettino as head coach, according to a report.

The 51-year-old has been out of work for the last eight months since his dismissal at Paris Saint-Germain in July last year, despite leading the Parisian giants to the 2021-22 Ligue 1 title.

Prior to his 18-month stint in the French capital, Pochettino spent five successful years in charge of Tottenham, guiding them to a second-placed finish in the 2016-17 Premier League season before reaching the Champions League final in May 2019.

Pochettino was renowned for his attractive brand of football and ability to develop young players during his time in North London, and a recent report claims that a number of current Spurs stars are keen for the Argentine to return to the club for a second spell in charge.

Speculation regarding a possible return for Pochettino comes at a time when the future of current head coach Antonio Conte is under threat, after the Italian launched a scathing attack on his "selfish" players and the club's hierarchy following the 3-3 draw with Southampton on Saturday.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte pictured on January 19, 2023 © Reuters

"We are 11 players that go into the pitch. I see selfish players, players that don't want to help each other and don't put their heart," Conte told reporters via football.london. "Here we are used to for a long time. The club has the responsibility for the transfer market, the coach has the responsibility. But the players, where are the players? I see only 11 players that play for themselves.

"Now there are 10 games to go and someone thinks we can fight with this attitude, with this spirit, for what the seventh, eighth place? What? I am not used to fighting for this. It's everyone's responsibility.

"They are used to it here. They don't play for something important. They don't want to play under pressure, they don't want to play under stress. It is easy in this way. Tottenham's story is this for 20 years. There's the owner but they never won something."

"If they want to continue in this way, they can change the manager, a lot of managers, but the situation cannot change. Believe me."

Conte is out of contract this summer, but it is understood that the 53-year-old's future will be decided within the next 48 hours by Tottenham's hierarchy, with the expectation that he will be sacked.

Several Spurs players are believed to be in favour of Conte being given the boot, although his dismissal would allegedly cost the club £15m.

Paris Saint-Germain manager Mauricio Pochettino pictured on April 23, 2022 © Reuters

Pochettino has emerged as one of the frontrunners to replace Conte either after the international break or at the end of the season, with Sky Sports News claiming that the Argentine is ready to return to management and will assess his options this summer.

However, according to The Mirror, Levy has major doubts about re-hiring Pochettino, four years after relieving him of his duties as Spurs boss.

The report adds that Levy is keen to appoint a manager with Premier League experience, and although the return of Pochettino would go down well with a large proposition of Tottenham's fanbase, the 61-year-old is considering other potential candidates to succeed Conte.

A host of other names both in and out of work have been linked with the Tottenham job in recent weeks, including Thomas Tuchel, Luis Enrique, Ruben Amorim, Oliver Glasner, Roberto De Zerbi and Marco Silva.

Spurs, who were knocked out of the Champions League and FA Cup earlier this month, currently sit fourth in the Premier League table, just two points above fifth-placed Newcastle United who have two games in hand.