Mauricio Pochettino Holds Talks With AC Milan Over Managerial Job

Former Tottenham and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed there has been contact linked to AC Milan’s search for a new manager following the dismissal of Massimiliano Allegri.

The Argentine is currently focused on leading the United States into this summer’s World Cup, which begins on 11 June across the US, Canada and Mexico. But uncertainty remains over his future beyond the tournament, with his contract due to expire afterwards.

Reports in Italy claimed AC Milan had already opened discussions with the 54-year-old as the Serie A giants look to rebuild after missing out on Champions League qualification again.

Speaking after training on Thursday, Pochettino denied directly meeting Milan officials but stopped short of ruling out discussions involving his representatives.

When asked if he had spoken with the club’s hierarchy, he replied: “No.”

However, questioned about whether his representatives had been involved, Pochettino said: “Maybe, possible, because they need to do their job.”

He added: “If I met someone, what happened? What is going to change if I met someone?

“We have friends everywhere and my representative works for me into trying to find the best possibility for the future. That is normal.”

Pochettino also revealed he has already held talks with US Soccer Federation chief executive JT Batson about extending his stay with the national team beyond the World Cup.

“He asked if we are open to listen [to] the project of the federation for the next four years,” Pochettino said.

“And we said of course we are open. Do you think that if we have a commitment with another people, we are going to waste time to listen?”

Batson praised the former Paris St-Germain coach for being open about interest from other clubs.

“He had standing offers from other places and he wanted to be here,” Batson said.

“He’s a big believer in what we’re doing at US Soccer. He’s a big believer in soccer in America, and he’s a big believer in this men’s team.”

Pochettino last worked in club football during the 2023-24 campaign at Chelsea, where he guided the London side to a sixth-place Premier League finish and the Carabao Cup final.

Before Chelsea, he won the Ligue 1 title and French Cup with Paris St-Germain and famously led Tottenham to the 2019 Champions League final.

AC Milan are searching for a fresh direction after sacking Allegri earlier this week. The Italian side finished fifth in Serie A after a final-day defeat to Cagliari and missed Champions League qualification for the second straight season.

Despite securing a Europa League place, Milan’s hierarchy labelled the campaign an “unequivocal failure”.