Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino recently surprised many by confessing the reason that prevented him from managing Real Madrid back in 2018. At the time, after Zinedine Zidane’s first departure, his name was strongly linked to the Bernabéu bench, but the move never materialized. According to the coach himself, his commitment to Tottenham Hotspur and the refusal of chairman Daniel Levy were decisive in the opportunity slipping away.

The promise that held him back in 2018

In an interview with Chiringuito TV, Pochettino explained that he had given his word to remain with the Spurs until the construction of the club’s new stadium was completed. “Zidane leaves Madrid and naturally the possibility arises. I had given my word to Levy that I would stay until the stadium was finished. At that moment, I said I would go to Madrid if Levy gave the green light. I don’t know what happened afterwards, but surely he didn’t give the OK,” he recalled.

The coach added that he was never in a position to force his exit, as he was still under contract. “I don’t know how Florentino Pérez took it, but it wasn’t my fault. I wasn’t a free agent. Football is like that, sometimes opportunities slip away,” he explained.

Instead, Real Madrid turned to Julen Lopetegui, whose tenure was short-lived due to poor results. Months later, Zidane returned to the bench in March 2019.

From Tottenham to PSG and his present with the USMNT

Pochettino’s story with Tottenham came to an end in 2019 after a difficult start to the season that left the team near the bottom of the Premier League table. Even so, his spell was historic: he qualified the club for the Champions League four years in a row and led them to their first-ever final in the competition in 2019.

He later took charge of Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, winning Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France before leaving the club in 2022. His journey then took him to the United States national team (USMNT) in 2024, where he has experienced ups and downs: a promising start with early victories, followed by tough defeats against Mexico and in the Concacaf Nations League. However, he managed to guide the team to the 2025 Gold Cup final, with his project aiming for stability ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Although the chance to manage Real Madrid is now in the past, Pochettino doesn’t rule out that it could happen one day. “It’s never too late if luck is on your side,” he concluded, leaving the door open for a future where he could once again be linked with the most successful club in Europe.