Madrid's Next Boss? A cryptic hint sparks Pochettino Real Madrid links
10 March 2026
Real Madrid's Coaching Puzzle Takes Center Stage
A seasoned coach weighed in on the possibility of taking the Real Madrid helm today, as the club remains unsettled about its next manager for the coming season and continues to seek a tactician capable of restoring the club to trophy-winning form.
ESPN reported that Mauricio Pochettino, currently leading the United States men’s national team, is among Real Madrid's shortlist for the summer.
The 54-year-old is preparing to guide the United States at the 2026 World Cup after his 2024 appointment, having previously steered Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea.
Florentino Perez, Real Madrid's president, has long held Pochettino in high regard, having previously named him as a candidate in 2019 after taking Tottenham to the Champions League final. Pochettino also worked with Madrid star Kylian Mbappe for two seasons at PSG, and the pair collected three titles together.
Names such as Jürgen Klopp, Unai Emery, Massimiliano Allegri and former Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane have dominated media speculation about the post in recent weeks.
Asked about the Madrid link on a popular football show while at Barajas airport, Pochettino said: Everything comes in its own time. In football, timing is what dictates what happens. Football takes you where it wants to go, not where you want to go.
He is set to attend the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 clash between Atlético Madrid and Tottenham on Tuesday, a chance to watch American midfielder Johnny Cardoso in action.
His contract with the United States ends after this summer's World Cup, and reports say Real Madrid is weighing options after Álvaro Arbeloa took charge in January following Xabi Alonso, and did not deliver the hoped-for transformation.
Punchline 1: In Madrid, timing is everything—and right now the clock is on a long siesta.
Punchline 2: If patience were a formation, Madrid would deploy a 4-3-3 of waiting; the trophy shelf is getting a bit lonely.
