Tottenham get Pochettino green light as Premier League stance clear | Football | Sport

United States legend Alexi Lalas reckons Mauricio Pochettino was only ever a temporary solution as national side head coach and won’t stick around beyond this summer’s World Cup. Tottenham Hotspur fans have consistently chanted for Pochettino’s return since Thomas Frank became the fifth permanent boss Spurs have axed in just under five years since parting ways with the Argentine.

Igor Tudor now serves as the second caretaker manager during this timeframe, with Christian Stellini and Ryan Mason also previously taking temporary charge. The timing of Pochettino’s potential availability following this summer’s World Cup could not be better for fans wanting him back in north London.

Speaking to talkSPORT on Tuesday about Pochettino, Lalas said: “A lot of us have been under the assumption, and I think fairly so, that this was a short-term hire. There wasn’t a [four-year World Cup] cycle involved, [it was] a year and a half, two years, at the most here. [He] didn’t have to go through a qualifying process because we are hosting.”

According to Lalas, Pochettino’s appointment was made “with the eye to do something that we haven’t seen before.” The US secured third place at the inaugural World Cup in 1930, amongst 13 competing nations, though they have only progressed to the quarter-finals once since then, back in 2002.

Lalas recalls: “Back in 2002, we were arguably a handball away from possibly going to a semi-final of a World Cup.” He then reiterates: “So doing things that we haven’t seen before.”

Discussing Pochettino’s prospects beyond the summer, Lalas said: “Once this is done, if it goes great, we’ll build statues to him; if it doesn’t, he’s going to have plenty of offers, because I think he is sought after, because he is quality. And I think he will go back.

“We’ve already heard, a couple of weeks ago, he did an interview where he was talking about his goals relative to winning the Champions League and winning a Premier League title and how that would happen. So I think this is short-term, and that’s OK; if we get the best out of him, then we will send him on his merry way.”

Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings

Lalas is referring to comments Pochettino made alongside long-serving assistant Jesus Perez during episode 391 of The High Performance Podcast. When asked which trophy he most desires during his managerial career, the Argentine said: “For me, Champions League and Premier League. Of course, the World Cup, but the Champions League and Premier League, for me, are things that I don’t know how, but I’m going to achieve for sure. I don’t know in which club”.

When asked: “Do you really believe that one day you will win the Premier League as a manager?” Pochettino responded “yes” twice before presenter Jake Humphrey had even finished the question, adding a third affirmation afterwards.

He elaborated: “Champions League is amazing because it’s a dream, too, like a World Cup. But the Premier League, because we really love English football and because football was born here, we were so lucky to spend a lot of time in Wembley, it’s an amazing stadium.

“I think we deserve, Jesus, I think we deserve, and we are going to try, and for sure we are going to get. In which club? I don’t know, I cannot tell you because I don’t have a club, I don’t own a club. But we are now in our best moment, like our coaching staff. Pochettino, asked whether he is currently at the peak of his managerial powers, said: “I think so.”

EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page