Ian Ladyman has tipped Mauricio Pochettino to make a sensational return to Tottenham after the sacking of Thomas Frank.
Pochettino, who took Spurs to the 2019 Champions League final during his five-year stint in north London, is currently managing the USA national team ahead of their hosting of the 2026 World Cup.
Speaking to Whistleblowers co-hosts Mark Clattenburg and Gordon Smart, Daily Mail Football Editor Ladyman said the Argentine will likely take over at Tottenham after this summer’s tournament, with an interim manager installed in the meantime to save the club from relegation.
Yesterday, Tottenham announced they had parted ways with Thomas Frank after the Dane failed to win any of his eight Premier League matches in 2026. Spurs currently sit in 16th place, five points above the drop.
Ian Ladyman has tipped Mauricio Pochettino to make a sensational return to Tottenham after the sacking of Thomas Frank
Ladyman said the Argentine will likely take over at Tottenham after this summer’s World Cup, with an interim manager installed in the meantime to save the club from relegation
‘I would be amazed if it’s not Pochettino managing Spurs next season,’ Ladyman predicted.
‘If I was in charge of Tottenham, I would hire an interim manager between now and the end of the season, just to keep them up. If that interim can perform a miracle in the Champions League and get to a quarter final, then great.
‘Poch won’t stay with the US after the World Cup, I am sure of that. I would then get him in during the summer. I think there’s unfinished business there.’
Pochettino guided Tottenham to their most successful spell in recent memory, narrowly missing out on major honours both domestically and abroad.
He was controversially sacked in November 2019 with a 55.9% win percentage, the third highest in the club’s Premier League history.
On Frank’s removal, Ladyman agreed with the Tottenham board, saying they had to make the decision to safeguard the club’s top-flight status.
However, he acknowledged the difficult nature of the dismissal, with Frank widely respected throughout the game.
On Frank’s removal, Ladyman agreed with the Tottenham board, saying they had to make the decision to safeguard the club’s top-flight status
Yesterday, Tottenham announced they had parted ways with Thomas Frank after the Dane failed to win any of his eight Premier League matches in 2026
Ladyman said: ‘Tottenham have Arsenal at home next up. They have West Ham picking up points beneath them. Spurs cannot allow themselves to get relegated.
‘To safeguard their immediate future, they sadly had to sack a bloke who most people in my industry think a great deal of. But, Frank has failed at Tottenham.’
Ladyman revealed that sources close to Tottenham have told him all season that the squad simply is not good enough.
He argued that their good form in the Champions League is only the result of being matched against middling sides.
‘Martin Samuel at The Times pointed out yesterday that they’ve only beat Dortmund, Frankfurt, Slavia Prague, Copenhagen and Villarreal.
‘Copenhagen finished 31st, Frankfurt 33rd, Prague 34th and Villarreal 35th. It looks like they just got a really lucky draw.
‘They beat the teams they should have beaten. They won against the rubbish in the Champions League.
‘They can’t beat Premier League teams. Their XGs are embarrassingly bad at home.’
To listen to Ladyman’s assessment of the future of Tottenham in full, search for Whistleblowers now, wherever you get your podcasts, or on YouTube.
