Ange Postecoglou’s name still echoes fondly around Celtic Park.
The Australian coach arrived in Glasgow as a relative unknown but left as a club icon, delivering back-to-back Scottish Premiership titles, a domestic Treble, and a style of football that enthralled the Celtic faithful.
Yet, since making the jump to Tottenham Hotspur during the summer of 2023, his time in north London has been anything but smooth sailing.
Spurs have lost an astonishing 15 league games this season and are languishing 14th in the English Premier League table.
Postecoglou was greeted with another angry confrontation from supporters following the latest 2-0 loss at Fulham last weekend, and there’s growing suggestions that his job could be at risk - particularly if Spurs fail to win the Europa League.
Now, as Postecoglou endures a testing second season at Spurs, a familiar figure has thrown his hat into the ring for a return to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
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Mauricio Pochettino, a man still beloved by large sections of the Tottenham fanbase, has reiterated his desire to manage the club again one day.
The Argentine, who is currently head coach of the United States national team, spent five and a half years at Spurs, guiding them to multiple top-four finishes and famously leading them to the UEFA Champions League final in 2019.
“When I left the club I always remember one interview I said I would like one day to come back to Tottenham," the ex-Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain boss told Sky Sports on Tuesday.
"I am in the USA, so I am not going to talk about that now - but what I said then I still, after six years or five years, feel in my heart. Yes, I would like one day to come back.”
On his rapport with Spurs chairman Daniel Levy since his departure in November 2019, Pochettino said: "We split very well. One thing was professional, another personal and now, like the day after we left Tottenham, we always have a very, very good relationship."
His words will only add to the growing uncertainty surrounding Postecoglou’s future.
While the former Celtic gaffer has earned patience for his long-term vision, the pressure of managing in England’s top-flight is relentless, and a poor finish to the season could leave Spurs supremo Levy with a decision to make.
Levy, never far from the spotlight, has faced protests from supporters disillusioned with the club’s stagnation.
With Champions League football now out of reach, the Europa League represents their last chance at salvaging a disappointing campaign, with a quarter-final tie against Eintracht Frankfurt looming.
