Credit: Imago

Harri Burton

Sun 29 March 2026 9:00, UK

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Mauricio Pochettino returning to Tottenham Hotspur looks more likely than ever after USA were thrashed by Belgium on Saturday.

The Argentine has already been under mounting pressure in the build-up to the 2026 World Cup, and fans’ anger is bound to be at an all-time high after his side lost 5-2 on 28 March.

Weston McKennie opened the scoring for the Americans, but with Rudi Garcia’s side turning on the style in the second half, Pochettino and his players were completely embarrassed in their own backyard.

Pochettino continues to be linked with Tottenham, with Igor Tudor expected to be sacked before the end of the season, but it still seems unlikely that the 54-year-old makes the switch before the World Cup.

Mauricio Pochettino is under crushing pressure ahead of the World Cup

Supporters and pundits are expecting Pochettino to either be sacked or walk away should his side struggle at their own World Cup, with the tournament also taking place in Canada and Mexico.

Given USA’s performance against Belgium this weekend, with just three friendlies against Portugal, Senegal and Germany remaining until the competition, that is looking extremely likely.

The odds on Pochettino returning to Spurs had already been slashed due to the crushing pressure on Tudor, and a switch back to North London makes total sense for all parties.

Pochettino remains a much-loved figure at Hotspur Way, but a return after seven years away likely depends on Spurs’ league status at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.

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Roberto De Zerbi also remains heavily linked with a move, but the former Brighton figure is also holding out to take over in the summer, if reports are to be believed.

Football Insider understands that Tudor is set to leave within days, having lost five of his seven games in charge, so the Lilywhites would have to appoint another interim coach in order to wait for Pochettino.

It feels inevitable that the Argentine is going to be sacked by the USA national team, with his side showing very few signs of putting up a fight in the upcoming World Cup.