Mauricio Pochettino serenaded by Spurs fans on flight to Madrid

Mauricio Pochettino will attend Tottenham Hotspur’s Champions League match against Atletico Madrid tonight and was serenaded by Spurs fans on his flight over to Spain.

Pochettino is expected to be in the stands at the Metropolitano as Tottenham face Atletico in the first leg of the round of 16, with the Argentinian preparing for the World Cup in his role as head coach of the USA. Johnny Cardoso, one of his players, is likely to start for Atletico in central midfield.

Pochettino was in charge at Spurs when they reached the Champions League final at the Metropolitano in 2019, which they lost to Liverpool, before he was sacked the following November.

Tottenham fans on the same flight as Pochettino took the opportunity to encourage the 54-year-old to return to the club and repeatedly chanted his name during the journey. Pochettino appeared to enjoy the attention, as he pumped his fist in the air and waved at his supporters sitting behind him.

Pochettino is among the candidates being considered for the permanent position of Spurs head coach in the summer, with Roberto De Zerbi and Andoni Iraola also in contention. Pochettino is expected to return to club football after the World Cup and is also reportedly on Real Madrid’s shortlist of coaches to take over from Álvaro Arbeloa next season.

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The home fans have sung Pochettino’s name in recent weeks at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with the club fighting to avoid relegation from the Premier League. Spurs are 16th, just one point above Nottingham Forest and West Ham United, who are in the relegation zone. But Tottenham’s sporting director Johan Lange would not be drawn on a possible move for Pochettino, shortly after Igor Tudor was appointed interim head coach last month. Spurs have lost three games out of three since Tudor arrived.

Asked if Pochettino would be considered in the summer, Lange said: “Igor has been here for five days. That is our focus and I am not going to comment on any names that have been linked to the job.”

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