Ange Postecoglou feels that Mauricio Pochettino’s remarks about his return to Tottenham are not disrespectful.

Angé Postecoglou has expressed his hope that Mauricio Pochettino will one day return to Tottenham Hotspur, insisting he does not feel “disrespected” by the Argentinian’s recent comments.

Pochettino, who is currently managing the United States men’s national team, had a successful tenure at Spurs from 2014 to 2019. Last month, he revealed his desire to return to the club in the future. Under his guidance, Tottenham reached the UEFA Champions League final in 2019. After stints at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, he took the reins of the USMNT in September 2024.

The timing of Pochettino’s remarks comes as pressure mounts on Postecoglou, with Spurs languishing in 14th place in the Premier League and uncertainty surrounding his future in north London. When asked about Pochettino’s comments, the Australian manager responded, “Mauricio, if he wants to come back one day, I hope it happens for him.”

He added, “We all have dreams and aspirations, and if that’s what he wants, you’re suggesting that he’s trying to put pressure on me? Well, I don’t feel disrespected. I think if you ask Mauricio that question directly, you’d get a pretty clear answer as to what his intent was.”

Postecoglou, who was appointed in June 2023, is the fourth manager to take charge of Spurs since Pochettino’s departure in November 2019, following Jose Mourinho, Nuno Espirito Santo, and Antonio Conte.

Pochettino is under a two-year contract with the USMNT, which will take him through to next year’s World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Meanwhile, Postecoglou has one year remaining on his contract, with an option for the club to extend it by another season. His future appears precarious, with a UEFA Europa League trophy viewed by some as the only achievement that could secure his position.

In response to speculation about his future, Postecoglou stated, “I don’t deal with it, mate. I know what my responsibilities are. I’m sure if the club decides to go in a different direction, there are some outstanding candidates out there for it. And you know what, maybe someone will think, ‘Ah Ange Postecoglou’s not a bad coach, maybe we’ll take a punt on him’. It doesn’t rock my world.”

He continued, “It doesn’t consume me. I’m here, I’m passionate about what we’re doing. I was brought in to change the way the club plays, rejuvenate the squad, bring success, I’m focused on that. That’s what I’ll keep doing.”

Spurs are set to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge before hosting bottom-of-the-table Southampton, followed by a crucial Europa League quarter-final tie against Eintracht Frankfurt. The outcome of this two-legged European clash, which will be broadcast live on TNT Sports and discovery+, could ultimately determine Postecoglou’s fate at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

In terms of squad news, Spurs will be without both Kevin Danso and Dejan Kulusevski for the first leg against Frankfurt, but Postecoglou has indicated that Richarlison is nearing a return to the matchday squad after two months on the sidelines.