Summary

  1. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Pochettino's being pretty disrespectful to Postecoglou'published at 14:57 Greenwich Mean Time

    Get Involved: #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Pochettino’s being pretty disrespectful to Postecoglou. However far into the future he’s claiming to be talking about, he’s being unfair to the man in place. You have to wonder whether this is being encouraged by the Spurs hierarchy, to test the water with the fans.

    Chris

  2. Recapping Pochettino's tenure with Tottenhampublished at 14:52 Greenwich Mean Time

    Pochettino celebrating with the traveling Spurs fansImage source, Getty Images

    With Mauricio Pochettino's tenure with Tottenham Hotspur widely scrutinised, let's have a look at the timeline during his reign with the North London club.

    • May 2014: Appointed manager.
    • March 2015: First League Cup final ending in a 2-0 loss to Chelsea
    • May 2016: Finished third in the league behind Leicester City and Arsenal
    • May 2016: Contract extension for Pochettino with new deal running until 2021
    • May 2017: Finished second in the league behind Chelsea
    • May 2018: Another contract extension with new deal valid until 2023
    • December 2018: First Spurs manager to win 100 Premier League games
    • May 2019: Champions League final against Liverpool ending in defeat
    • November 2019: Pochettino sacked as Spurs manager
  3. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:45 Greenwich Mean Time

    #bbcfootball, via WhatsApp on 03301231826 or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    With Mauricio Pochettino open to returning to Tottenham - would you take him back Spurs fans?

    Non-Spurs fans would you take Pochettino at your football club?

    Get involved using all of the usual channels.

  4. What is Pochettino's current position?published at 14:40 Greenwich Mean Time

    Pochettino passing on instructions to his players.Image source, Getty Images

    Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is currently the head coach of the USA national team. He was named in his new position on the 10th of September 2024 following the sacking off Gregg Berhalter.

    The decision came after the poor showing by USA in Copa America, and with the 2026 World Cup in mind - since they are one of the host nations.

    The first two games in charge brought mixed bag of results. They beat Panama 2-0 at home and followed that up with a 2-0 loss to Mexico. Both were friendlies.

    Since then, he's overseen four games. First - a two-legged tie against Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League. Pochettino's side beat Jamaica 5-2 on aggregate.

    The other two were friendlies against Venezuela and Costa Rice and they won both with the respective score lines of 3-1 and 3-0.

    The former Chelsea manager is now preparing his side to take on Panama in the semi finals of the CONCACAF Nations League.

  5. 'We split very well' - Pochettino sheds light on his departure from Spurspublished at 14:32 Greenwich Mean Time

    Mauricio Pochettino spoke about his relationship with Daniel Levy: "It's true after nearly six years with all that we lived together, it was tough because of all the ups and downs and emotional things that we lived.

    "We split very well. One thing was professional, another personal and now, like the day after we left Tottenham, we always have a very, very good relationship."

    The former Spurs boss also opened up about his exit from city rivals Chelsea last year: "Always when something doesn't work it's better to stop and to look at different things and I think it was the best decision for both sides.

    "I think both sides were happy to split and then to be open to see different options, and different options appear."

    Pochettino was also linked with the England job: "It's a privilege to be head coach of the England national team but the timings sometimes are not the same - in the moment you can be available, the option disappears."

    The Argentine said the idea of managing the host country for the 2026 World Cup was too good to turn down: "Being the national coach of the USA with the World Cup in 2026, for a coaching staff like us after many years working in clubs, it was a great opportunity to challenge ourselves.

    "When the offer arrived, it was easy to say 'yes'."

  6. Pochettino keen on returning to Spurspublished at 14:26 Greenwich Mean Time

    Pochettino during his news conference.Image source, Getty Images

    Former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino says he would like to return to the north London club one day.

    The 53-year-old managed Spurs between 2014 and 2019, leading the club to a second-place finish in the Premier League in 2016, the 2015 EFL Cup final and the 2019 Champions League final.

    He was sacked in November 2019, couple of months after a Champions League final appearance.

    "When I left the club I always remember one interview I said I would like one day to come back to Tottenham," the Argentine told Sky Sports.

    "I am in the USA, so I am not going to talk about that now - but what I said then I still, after six years or five years, feel in my heart. Yes, I would like one day to come back."

  7. get involved

    'I can see them both in future squads'published at 14:20 Greenwich Mean Time

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Jarrad Branthwaite and Jarell QuansahImage source, Getty Images

    David, Liverpool: Why is no one apparently questioning the inclusion of Jarell Quansah? More big team bias when he's only played ten Premier League games this season and you have someone like Branthwaite who is infinitely more deserving.

    Hi David. I was surprised Branthwaite was not in the squad as he has been outstanding recently, while Quansah has hardly been a regular at Liverpool this season, but Thomas Tuchel clearly believes the latter is a better pick.

    Quansah is a very good young player, as is Branthwaite and I can see them both in future squads.

  8. get involved

    'England should be among the favourites'published at 14:15 Greenwich Mean Time

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Thomas TuchelImage source, Getty Images

    Graham, Essex: With the World Cup next year, is it coming home? I think quarter-finals at best if the first selection is to go by. Also think the World Club Championship and next season will kill our players too.

    Early days to be making those sorts of predictions, Graham, but I believe England should be among the favourites with the players Thomas Tuchel has at his disposal. He has effectively been hired to win the World Cup with an 18-month contract.

    It is only his first squad, and a lot can happen between now and when the final squad selection is made – should England qualify of course.

    I think quarter-finals should be the very minimum requirement.

  9. What formation will Tuchel play? Three at the backpublished at 14:11 Greenwich Mean Time

    Cesar Azpilicueta and Thomas Tuchel with the Champions League trophyImage source, Getty Images

    But could we see Thomas Tuchel play a three-man defence?

    Chelsea fans will certainly be used to that, with Tuchel primarily using a back three during his 100 games in charge of the Blues.

    It was that formation which led to a victory in the final of the 2020-21 Champions League against Manchester City in Porto, with Kai Havertz's goal sealing a 1-0 win.

    Alternatively, Tuchel has shown a flexibility across systems, using a range of back four and back three shapes throughout his managerial career across stints with Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Paris St-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Mainz.

  10. What formation will Tuchel play? Four at the backpublished at 14:06 Greenwich Mean Time

    Harry Kane and Thomas Tuchel in Bayern trainingImage source, Getty Images

    What formation can we expect England to play under Thomas Tuchel?

    If recency is the best indicator, then something resembling a 4-2-3-1 could be expected, given it was the formation he used in almost all of his matches in charge of Bayern Munich in his most recent club role.

    It is a formation that has become synonymous with English and German football in recent years, commonly used across the Premier League.

    Gareth Southgate used a similar shape at the start of the 2024 European Championships but struggled to get the best out of Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham in the same side.

    It led to a switch to a three-man defence which saw England reach the final, only to lose 2-1 to Spain in Berlin.

    Harry Kane was Bayern's striker in Tuchel's last season in Munich, where Kane netted 44 goals in 45 matches in all competitions.

  11. get involved

    Get Involvedpublished at 14:01 Greenwich Mean Time

    #bbcfootball, WhatsApp 03301231826, text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

    A lot of attention is given to Brighton for their ability to unearth young gems from far reaching places. But again, props must be given to them for the purchase and rise of Dan Burn. They picked him up when no one else wanted him and transformed him into a ball playing LB who now represents England, unbelievable work from the club

    Anon

  12. How do England's centre-backs compare?published at 13:55 Greenwich Mean Time

    A graphic comparing England's five centre-backs and their stats this seasonImage source, BBC Sport

    So, how do England's five centre-backs compare in the Premier League this season.

    Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi leads when it comes to most blocks per 90 minutes this season, while Newcastle's Dan Burn is ahead of clearances.

    For tackles, Liverpool's Jarrel Quansah is head and shoulders above the rest, with Burn again leading in the aerial duels category.

    Quansah again leads in the interceptions category.

  13. What do the stats say about Burn's Premier League season so far?published at 13:48 Greenwich Mean Time

    With Dan Burn coming off the Carabao Cup win and his first ever England squad selection, let's dive deep into the towering defender's stats in the Premier League this season. These stats are derived from the Premier League.

    • Burn has won 101 aerial duels this season. No other player has more.
    • Burn has zero errors leading to goal.
    • He has 23 fouls in the league this season.
    • The defender has won 142 duels.
    • He has completed 1,413 passes in the league with a pass accuracy of 89.95%.
    Burn in action for Newcastle.Image source, Getty Images
  14. England's defensive questionspublished at 13:41 Greenwich Mean Time

    Alex Howell
    BBC football news reporter at St George's Park

    Coming into this England camp, as always there is a lot of talk about how England could play.

    When naming his first squad, Thomas Tuchel said that he did not want to give away whether England were going to play with a back four or a back three.

    The biggest clue that England could play with a back three is that Tuchel named nine defenders in his first 26 man squad.

    Marc Guehi has cemented himself as a key part of England's team after Euro 2024 and will be a near certain starter, but with regular centre backs Harry Maguire and John Stones out, there are spaces up for grabs.

    Newcastle defender Dan Burn has been called up and Tuchel says he has been 'overlooked'.

    Ezri Konsa and Levi Colwill have shone in moments for England but both have also played at full back for the national team.

    Kyle Walker and Reece James have played as right centre backs before too so in naming so many players that can play in different positions it keeps the opposition, and us, guessing.

  15. What's coming up?published at 13:36 Greenwich Mean Time

    We have plenty more Dan Burn insights to come, as we look at how the Newcastle defender could fit into Thomas Tuchel's England side.

    Phil McNulty's Q&A also continues, and we will recap the key topics discussed in this week's Monday Night Club.

    Later on, we will have a look at some quotes from United States manager Mauricio Pochettino, who has been speaking about his time at Tottenham and how he would one day like to return to the club.

    And we will assess the dramatic turnaround in fortunes at Nottingham Forest, one year on from their Premier League points deduction.

  16. 'Tuchel called me unprofessional'published at 13:27 Greenwich Mean Time

    It was quite a relaxed, light-hearted news conference, as you might imagine, as Dan Burn recounted tales of the Carabao Cup final celebrations and an amusing exchange with Thomas Tuchel.

    The Newcastle defender said Tuchel jokingly called him "unprofessional" for answering the phone at 10pm, when the German called to let him know he was in the England squad.

    Media caption,

    'Tuchel said I was unprofessional for not being in bed at 10pm' - Burn on England call-up

  17. What have you missed?published at 13:24 Greenwich Mean Time

    Focus has switched today to international week and World Cup qualifying.

    We heard from man-of-the-moment Dan Burn earlier today, when Newcastle's Carabao Cup hero faced the media for the first time as an England player.

    You can catch up on the key lines from his news conference by clicking on this link, or watch the whole thing in full via the 'Watch & Listen' tab at the top of this page.

    Dan BurnImage source, Getty Images
  18. get involved

    Get Involved - Keep those questions comingpublished at 13:18 Greenwich Mean Time

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Phil McNulty will remain with us for a little while longer so please keep those questions coming.

    • You can get in touch via:
    • X using #bbcfootball
    • WhatsApp on 03301231826
    • Or text 81111 (UK only, standard message rates apply)

    Remember to include your name and mark your questions for Phil.

    Thanks.

  19. get involved

    Lewis-Skelly is 'an outstanding young talent'published at 13:12 Greenwich Mean Time

    Phil McNulty Q&A

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Tom in London: Hi Phil. Myles Lewis-Skelly is a raw talent but on field discipline is clearly an issue. I’m sure Arteta is working hard with him on that, but as a very youthful member of this England squad, how much should Tuchel intervene regarding this side of his game?

    Morning, Tom. Tuchel said it himself when he suggested it would be a “paternal vibe” with Lewis-Skelly. Left-back is a position where England are short of options. He and Mikel Arteta will be aware that the teenager can be impetuous. They will work on that and take it into consideration. He is an outstanding young talent who has the chance to play for England for years to come.

    Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly being sent off against WolvesImage source, Getty Images
  20. Postpublished at 13:09 Greenwich Mean Time

    While young players like Jarrad Branthwaite and Adam Wharton have been left with a point to prove, Thomas Tuchel has shown he is willing to trust in young players.

    The inclusion of Arsenal full-back Myles Lewis-Skelly in his first England squad is a case in point...