90min

Jan Vertonghen on 'Impatient' Mauricio Pochettino & When He Might Return to Management

By Toby Cudworth

Pochettino and Vertonghen were together at Spurs for a number of years
Pochettino and Vertonghen were together at Spurs for a number of years / IAN KINGTON/Getty Images
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Former Tottenham defender Jan Vertonghen has suggested that Mauricio Pochettino is biding his time before deciding his next managerial move, hinting that there are only a couple of jobs that will appeal to his old boss.

The Belgian defender left north London in the summer after eight seasons at the club, joining Portuguese giants Benfica upon the expiry of his Spurs contract.

Vertonghen joined Benfica in the summer
Vertonghen joined Benfica in the summer / Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images

For much of his time at the club, Vertonghen worked under Pochettino and played a major role in Tottenham's run to the 2019 Champions League final. But just five months after that unbelievable journey, Pochettino was relieved of his duties at Tottenham - with chairman Daniel Levy opting to bring in Jose Mourinho after Spurs' sluggish start to the 2019/20 season.

Now, speaking to CBS Soccer's Que Golazo podcast (via the Mirror), Vertonghen has said that Pochettino's style of management suits the Premier League best, but his former boss may be waiting for a select couple of opportunities to present themselves before returning to the dugout.

"I can imagine he's impatient," Vertonghen began. "I think the English league suits him very well as he's a manager that prioritises fitness levels and the physicality of the game.

"I think managing in the Premier League is probably the best thing he can do.

"He will always want to coach a big team I guess, so you have to look at the biggest teams in the league and there are only two or three you can really look at I think at this point.

Pochettino has long been linked with the top jobs at both Manchester United and Manchester City - positions currently held by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Pep Guardiola - and it's previously been claimed that he's held talks with both parties.

Pochettino has been tipped to succeed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United
Pochettino has been tipped to succeed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Manchester United / Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images

No move has materialised though, and Vertonghen added: "I won't name them out of respect for the other managers, but I think that's what he's looking at as well and he wants that big team to confirm him what he’s been doing with Tottenham and what he did very well.

"If I was him I would be impatient because he really loved his job and you want to continue that."