Mauricio Pochettino believes Tottenham Hotspur can avoid relegation while he focuses on leading the United States men’s national soccer team at the World Cup.

Mauricio Pochettino has expressed confidence that his former club, Tottenham Hotspur, can avoid relegation from the Premier League, despite their difficult season. The Argentine coach admitted he still feels a strong emotional connection to Spurs but insisted his focus remains elsewhere.

Pochettino is currently preparing to lead the United States men’s national soccer team at the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament is set to begin on June 11, with the 54-year-old fully committed to his national team duties.

Despite that commitment, Pochettino’s name has once again been linked with a return to Tottenham. The north London side are searching for a permanent head coach after sacking Thomas Frank in February, while interim boss Igor Tudor recently departed the club.

Reports suggest that former Brighton & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi is currently in advanced talks to take over as Tottenham’s next head coach. 

Pochettino spoke warmly about Tottenham, describing his time at the club as one of the best experiences of his career. He added that the squad’s quality and the support of the fans should be enough to help them avoid dropping out of the top flight.

The Argentine enjoyed a successful five-year spell with Spurs, turning them into regular top-four contenders and guiding them to the 2019 UEFA Champions League final. He also previously managed Southampton and later returned to England for a short stint with Chelsea.

Tottenham currently sit just one point above the relegation zone after 31 matches and have not won a league game since December. While Pochettino refused to discuss his future in detail, he left the door open to a potential return, saying that in football everything can happen.