Mauricio Pochettino refused to rule out a move to Real Madrid on Tuesday, after ESPN reported that the United States men’s national team coach was on the club’s shortlist to take charge this summer.
Pochettino, 54, is preparing to lead the USMNT into the 2026 World Cup, having been appointed in August 2024, after a career which has seen him manage Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.
ESPN reported on Monday that the Argentinian — who has previously been linked with Madrid — was among the candidates to replace Álvaro Arbeloa for the 2026-27 season as part of a major overhaul at the Bernabéu.
“All in good time,” Pochettino — speaking at Madrid’s Barajas Airport — told El Chiringuito, when asked about being linked with Madrid. “In football, the timings always dictates [what happens]. Football will take you where it wants, not where you want.”
Pochettino will reportedly attend Atlético Madrid‘s Champions League round-of-16 first leg with Tottenham on Tuesday where he will potentially get a chance to see U.S. midfielder Johnny Cardoso in action.
His contract with the USMNT is due to expire after this summer’s World Cup.
ESPN reported on Monday that Madrid are looking at coaching options, after Arbeloa — who took over from predecessor Xabi Alonso in January — failed to spark the hoped-for turnaround in the team.
Arbeloa had been in charge of Madrid’s reserve team, Castilla, and some sources told ESPN that he was not viewed as a long-term option as first-team coach, with one source suggesting he could remain at the club in a different role.
Pochettino is highly regarded by president Florentino Pérez, sources said, having been previously mentioned as a candidate in 2019, after he took Spurs to the Champions League final.
Pochettino also worked with Madrid star Kylian Mbappé for two seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, winning three trophies.
Jürgen Klopp, Unai Emery and Massimiliano Allegri have also been linked with Madrid in the Spanish media in recent weeks, as well as former coach Zinedine Zidane.
