Pochettino admits interest in succeeding Southgate as England manager
Suraj Radia
- 17 Nov 2022 14:50 GMT
- 3 min read
Mauricio Pochettino has revealed he would be ‘open’ to succeeding Gareth Southgate as England manager if the role became available after the World Cup.
Pochettino has been out of work since leaving Paris Saint-Germain in the summer and the former Tottenham boss was at Wembley to watch England’s final World Cup warm-up game against Germany in September.
Pochettino spoke positively of England’s squad, praising their approach and mentality before admitting his interest in the prospect of managing the team one day.
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“Of course, my relationship with England has always been very good,” Pochettino told The Athletic. “We have a very good relationship with the academies, trying to develop young players for the national team.
“I feel so comfortable here. You never know what happens. I am open to everything.”
Should Pochettino take the job, he would be the third non-British coach to manage England after Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello.
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Southgate’s contract does not expire until after the European Championships in 2024 but he has previously hinted that he could depart after the World Cup following six years in charge.
“I am not foolish,” Southgate said in September. “I know ultimately I will be judged on what happens at that World Cup.
“Contracts are irrelevant in football because managers can have three, four, five-year contracts and if results aren’t good enough then you accept that’s time to part ways.
“Why would I be any different? I’m not arrogant enough to think that having a contract should protect me in any way from results.”
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He added: “Of course we understand how the mood changes with the results, and it has changed.
“I am realistic about that. I’ll be judged on what’s delivered in Qatar and I am perfectly happy to be judged in that way.
England kick off their World Cup campaign on Monday against Iran, with Pochettino believed to be in Qatar to watch the tournament as a spectator.
