Mauricio Pochettino has revealed he has held "no talks" with Tottenhamamid speculation linking him with a sensational return to north London.

United States head coach Pochettino, 54, was speaking ahead of his nation's friendly against Portugal when he was asked about the vacant position at Tottenham following Igor Tudor's departure on Sunday.

Tudor, 47, was dismissed after a dreadful 44-day reign that saw him win just one of his eight matches across all competitions and that came in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid. The Croatian failed to win a single Premier League game during his time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, picking up one point from a possible 18.

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With Tottenham sitting in 17th and just one point and one place above the relegation zone, ex-Spurs boss Pochettino has been linked with coming in amid the fight to avoid the drop, though Roberto De Zerbi has emerged as the favourite to take over.

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And on Monday, the Argentine was asked about whether he has held talks with Tottenham amid the club's search for a new manager. "No talks," a defiant Pochettino replied. "We are very very focused here on the World Cup.

"Everyone knows that I have a commitment with the national team here. It’s not the point to talk about the future. No one approached me. But who knows what is going to happen. And by the way, we are open [to staying with the USMNT], why not if the federation is happy?"

Pochettino was appointed as the USA's national team manager in September 2024. The former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain manager has since been preparing the USMNT for hosting this summer's World Cup, and has established a mixed record during his time at the helm, winning 13 and drawing two of his 24 matches.

USA are due to face Senegal and Germany in further warm-up matches before the World Cup, where they will take on Paraguay, Australia and another nation that is to be confirmed.

Although Pochettino poured cold water on him becoming the next Tottenham manager, he did talk about the club's hopes of avoiding relegation and staying in the Premier League.

When asked if he believes Spurs will remain in the top flight, Pochettino replied: "Yes, they can stay up. Of course, it's a difficult time, but they have the capacity to win, with or without a new coach."

De Zerbi is the outright favourite to replace Tudor and become the new Spurs head coach. Reports have suggested that the Italian has agreed to a five-year contract and is expected to take over ahead of their next game, a Premier League trip to Sunderland on Sunday, April 12.