Pochettino Reveals Daniel Levy Blocked Dream Real Madrid Move

USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino has sensationally revealed that a potential move to manage Spanish giants Real Madrid was thwarted by former Tottenham Hotspur chairman Daniel Levy in 2018.

The Argentine, now at the helm of the U.S. Men’s National Team, opened up about the missed opportunity to take over from Zinedine Zidane, a revelation that sheds new light on his career trajectory before his foray into international football.

A Promise to Levy: The Real Madrid Snub

Speaking on El Chiringuito TV, Pochettino detailed the events of 2018, a pivotal year for Real Madrid following Zidane’s departure after securing a historic third consecutive Champions League title. Cristiano Ronaldo also exited the club, leaving a significant void.

“Zidane leaves Madrid and naturally the possibility arises,” Pochettino explained. “I had given my word to Levy that I would stay [at Tottenham] until the [new] stadium was finished.”

At the time, Pochettino was deeply entrenched in his project at Tottenham, where he had built a formidable side and was overseeing the completion of their state-of-the-art stadium. His commitment to Levy, he claims, ultimately proved to be the stumbling block for a move to the Spanish capital.

“At that moment, I said I would go to Madrid if Levy gave the green light. I don’t know what happened afterwards, but surely he didn’t give the OK,” Pochettino revealed, implying that Levy’s refusal to release him from his contract was the decisive factor.

“Opportunities Slip Away”

Pochettino expressed no fault on his part, emphasizing his contractual obligations. “I don’t know how Florentino Pérez took it, but it wasn’t my fault. I wasn’t a free agent. Football is like that, sometimes opportunities slip away,” he lamented, acknowledging the fleeting nature of top-tier managerial positions.

Real Madrid subsequently appointed Julen Lopetegui, whose tenure lasted a mere three months. Santiago Solari then took the reins before Zidane made a sensational return in March 2019. All the while, Pochettino remained in North London, eventually leading Spurs to the Champions League final in 2019.

The USMNT Challenge: A New Chapter

Fast forward six years, and Pochettino is now navigating the unique challenges of international management with the USMNT. His early tenure has been a learning curve, with the team failing to defend their Concacaf Nations League title and finishing as runners-up in the Gold Cup.

As the Stars and Stripes prepare for two crucial international friendlies during the September break, the pressure is mounting on the 53-year-old to fine-tune his squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host.

With key superstars like Christian Pulisic back in the fold, Pochettino will be eager to turn the page on a tumultuous summer and demonstrate his ability to lead the USMNT to success on the global stage. His past experiences, including the Real Madrid near-miss, will undoubtedly inform his approach as he strives to build a competitive team for 2026.