Mauricio Pochettino has revealed how he missed out on potentially becoming Real Madrid's head coach due to the promise he made to Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy.
Pochettino was appointed as Tottenham's head coach in 2014 on a five-year contract following his one-season managerial stint at Southampton.
Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane parted ways with the Spanish club after his first stint in 2018, and during that time, Pochettino was reportedly shortlisted as a candidate for Los Blancos' head coach role.
However, it did not work out in Pochettino's favor as he made a promise to Levy to stay at Tottenham until the construction of their new stadium was finished, and Real Madrid decided to appoint Julen Lopetegui instead.
Later in November 2019, Tottenham dismissed Pochettino from his role due to their poor form in the domestic competitions, with the club ranking 14th in the Premier League table at that time. Spurs, then, appointed Jose Mourinho.
Pochettino, who is currently the head coach of the United States men's national soccer team, expressed that he expected Levy would let him join Real Madrid, but was denied the opportunity.
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What did former Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino say about his failed move to Real Madrid?
During an interview with Chiringuito TV, Pochettino explained the situation surrounding his failed move to Real Madrid and said,
"As a player, I had the chance to play for Madrid , but it didn't happen. As a coach, I had a couple of opportunities, but sometimes, that's how things happen in football," as per GOAL.
"I don't know whether to tell the story or not. Zidane is leaving and logically there's the possibility of signing for Real Madrid. Surely other coaches too. I had given Levy my word that I would stay until Tottenham's new ground was finished. At that moment I told him that I would go to Madrid if Levy gave the OK. I don't know what happened afterwards. Surely he didn't give the OK."
"I don't know how Florentino Perez took it; it wasn't my fault. I wasn't out of contract. But it's never too late if the luck is right."
During his five-year tenure, Pochettino had led Tottenham to four consecutive top-four Premier League finishes and a historic run to their first-ever Champions League final in 2019.
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