Tottenham Hotspur have fired manager Thomas Frank following Tuesday’s 2-1 home loss to Newcastle United. The former Brentford coach leaves the club after just eight months in charge, ending a brief and turbulent spell in North London. USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino has quickly emerged as the early favorite to replace him.

Pochettino linked with Spurs return

Roberto De Zerbi, Robbie Keane, Ruben Amorim and Oliver Glasner have also been linked with the vacancy. However, Pochettino has moved to the front of the line as speculation builds over a possible return to the club he once led to a Champions League final.

Pochettino previously managed Tottenham from May 2014 to November 2019, overseeing one of the most successful periods in the club’s modern history.

Will Pochettino leave the USMNT before the 2026 World Cup?

What this means for the U.S. men’s national team remains unclear. The Argentine is currently preparing to lead the United States into a home World Cup this summer, one of the most highly anticipated tournaments in program history.

Pochettino has previously spoken of his desire to return to the Premier League at some point in his career, although there is no indication whether he would be interested in taking the Tottenham job, either immediately or after the World Cup. Still, reports suggest he will at least be considered as Spurs search for their next manager.

With the World Cup on the horizon and Tottenham in transition, the timing of any potential move could prove crucial for both club and country.

Huge compensation fee for Pochettino

One thing that should work in the United States Soccer Federation’s favor, according to a BBC source, is that Spurs would have to pay “one of the biggest financial compensation fees in football history” if they were to appoint Pochettino. That is believed to be somewhere in the region of £20 million ($27.4 million), which may put the Premier League club off.

Spurs’ disastrous form costs Frank

Frank leaves Tottenham 16th in the Premier League table, only five points clear of the relegation zone. Under the Dane, Spurs won only two of 13 home league fixtures, creating a toxic atmosphere in recent games at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

They did, however, qualify automatically for the Champions League round of 16, finishing fourth in the league phase, ahead of Barcelona, Manchester City and Real Madrid.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.