Report: Tottenham in talks with Pochettino over shock return

Tottenham Hotspur opened talks with former manager and current Paris Saint-Germain boss Mauricio Pochettino over a sensational return to the club, The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke reports.

However, Spurs haven't discussed the move with PSG, according to BBC Sport's Simone Stone.

Appointed as PSG's manager in January, Pochettino still has one year remaining on his contract with the Ligue 1 giants and would most likely have to resign to switch clubs, Pitt-Brooke adds.

Reports on Monday suggested Pochettino would consider rejoining Tottenham, partly because the situation in Paris had become "more of a headache" than expected. The manager is apparently experiencing some of the same issues that forced Thomas Tuchel out of the club last season.

PSG's view is different. Despite finishing second to Lille in Ligue 1, PSG appear to be satisfied with Pochettino, who's considered popular among the players and staff. The French giants reportedly held a positive meeting with Pochettino this week over potential summer signings, and one source told The Athletic that Spurs may be trying to "start a fire in someone else's house to deflect from their own arson."

Tottenham fans called for chairman Daniel Levy to resign after the club withdrew from the ill-fated European Super League in April. Talk of Harry Kane's potential departure has only added to the tension. The 27-year-old said he wants to have a "good, honest conversation" with Levy about his future.

Spurs settled for seventh place in the Premier League after firing Jose Mourinho in April. They also lost to Manchester City in the League Cup final.

Pochettino guided the north London side to second place in the Premier League in 2016-17 and the Champions League final in 2019. He was fired later that year after five-and-a-half seasons in charge.