# Pochettino Almost Caused Scandal Before USMNT Job

> Pochettino nearly caused a major career scandal after Spurs sacked him, then almost joined Arsenal before USMNT role.
- Title: Pochettino Almost Caused Scandal Before USMNT Job · SI
- Summary: Pochettino nearly caused a major career scandal after Spurs sacked him, then almost joined Arsenal before USMNT role. Mauricio Pochettino was reportedly in…
- Keywords: mauricio pochettino, spurs, arsenal, usmnt, tottenham, champions league, nfl, spurs fans, us soccer federation, mikel arteta, unai emery, zinedine zidane
- Source: SI — https://si.com/soccer/how-mauricio-pochettino-almost-committed-career-suicide-before-usmnt
- Published: 2026-10-19T13:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: mauricio pochettino, spurs, arsenal, usmnt, tottenham, champions league, nfl, spurs fans, us soccer federation, mikel arteta, unai emery, zinedine zidane
## Pochettino Sacked by Spurs
Mauricio Pochettino was dismissed by Tottenham Hotspur during the November international break after signing one senior first-team player across two years.
## Pochettino's Spurs Success
Pochettino led Tottenham to three consecutive top-three Premier League finishes and reached the 2019 Champions League final.
## Arsenal Interest After Sacking
A new book claims Pochettino was in serious conversations with Arsenal’s hierarchy weeks after being sacked by Tottenham.
## Pochettino's Motivation
Pochettino is described as a strong candidate who showed willingness to engage with a club he had spent the previous half-decade being paid to despise.
## Spurs' Dominance
Across Pochettino’s final three seasons at Tottenham, the club finished each one above their loathed neighbors.
## Historical Context
Only two managers have ever taken charge of both Arsenal and Tottenham: Terry Neill and George Graham.
## Terry Neill's Legacy
Terry Neill was never fully accepted by Tottenham fans after managing Northern Ireland while narrowly avoiding relegation.
## George Graham's Legacy
George Graham oversaw Arsenal’s most successful period for half a century before taking charge of Tottenham in 1999.
## Pochettino's Spurs Goodwill
Pochettino would have banished the goodwill he still has with many Spurs fans if he had moved directly to Arsenal.
## USMNT Appointment
Pochettino was appointed USMNT manager after the U.S. Soccer Federation presented him with a salary befitting the big beasts of international football.
## USMNT Search
When the USMNT initially went in search of a new manager in 2024, there was no avalanche of résumés.
## Pochettino's Relationship
Pochettino had crossed paths with Matt Crocker at Southampton and was open to leading a co-host at the 2026 World Cup.
## Pochettino's USMNT Tenure
After a shaky start, Pochettino won plenty of hearts and minds on the grand home stage until the 2030 World Cup.
## Key takeaway

Mauricio Pochettino was reportedly in talks to join Arsenal weeks after being sacked by Tottenham but ended up coaching USMNT instead.