Tottenham frontrunner Pochettino stuck between rock and a hard place

Mauricio Pochettino is now favourite to become Tottenham’s next manager just 18 months after being dismissed from his north London post, but will the Argentine be swayed by another, more alluring job offer?

Real Madrid have made their giant presence felt, putting Pochettino’s potential and highly anticipated return to Tottenham in jeopardy. There seemed like almost no chance of Pochettino returning to Spurs when rumours of the club’s interest in him caught on like wildfire Tuesday morning.

However, major inroads were made in the following days, with Pochettino’s odds of returning to north London increasing faster than my blood pressure while following the story. Pochettino pole vaulted up the list, becoming the frontrunner to take back his rightful spot at Hotspur Way.

That was until about 24 hours ago, when Zinedine Zidane walked out on the Galácticos for a second time. And so the plot thickened.

Pochettino has made no secret of his desire to one day manage Real Madrid. Los Blancos approached Pochettino in 2018, after Zidane left his post the first time, about succeeding the Frenchman in the Spanish capital. But Pochettino, reflective of his principled character, swatted aside Madrid’s advances to honour his Tottenham contract.

The timing of Madrid’s recent advances couldn’t be more inauspicious for Tottenham. Just when supporters started allowing themselves to believe in the possibility of the gaffer’s return, Madrid swoops down with all of their might, pomp and clout.

While Pochettino has his heart set on a Tottenham return, it will be nigh on impossible for him to turn down an opportunity — if one is forthcoming — to accept his dream position, one he’s had his eyes on since the beginning of his managerial journey.

Wouldn’t it just typify Tottenham’s ill fortune if Pochettino signs with Madrid and snubs his former side after coming within a whisker of an all-anticipated north London reunion. It would be one more winding jab to the gut, one more painful reminder of the torturous season we’re trying to move on from.