Former Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino linked with ‘wild card’ move after World Cup

Now, the Argentine finds himself at the centre of the world’s biggest sporting event as he prepares to lead the USMNT into the 2026 World Cup on home soil. However, his time in the States has been turbulent, as recent friendly defeats to Belgium and Portugal have sparked criticism.

And it seems as if his time on the international stage may be short-lived, with a return to club football being tipped for Pochettino this summer.

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Mauricio Pochettino a contender for the Real Madrid job

According to Ben Jacobs at TalkSPORT, Real Madrid are a ‘wild card’ club for Mauricio Pochettino this summer, with it looking likely that he will leave his position as the USA manager.

“He’s liked. But I think there’s been a feeling for quite some time that, if this World Cup goes amazingly, Poch bows out on a high. And if this World Cup doesn’t go according to plan, then he leaves at the end of the contract.

“Tottenham is off the table because Roberto De Zerbi got that job, but Mauricio Pochettino was the other candidate.

“Real Madrid is the wild card in all of this, and Mauricio Pochettino is a candidate there.

“Pochettino’s not a candidate for Manchester City, if Pep Guardiola leaves. The Manchester United process has in the past looked at Pochettino. But I’m not aware that he’s a frontrunner for the role at this stage.”

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A return to Chelsea for Mauricio Pochettino?

While a romantic return for Mauricio Pochettino would undoubtedly thrill sections of the Chelsea support, the current hierarchy appears focused on fresh identities like Andoni Iraola or Xabi Alonso.

Pochettino’s contract with the USMNT expires immediately following the 2026 World Cup, and while he has openly flirted with a Premier League return, his strained relationship with the BlueCo sporting directors remains a significant hurdle.

Unless the board is willing to grant him the full authority he lacked during his first stint, a move back to Stamford Bridge this summer feels improbable.