Tottenham Hotspur fans beg Mauricio Pochettino to come back in chance encounter as they serenade him on flight to Spain

Tottenham Hotspur fans were stunned to find themselves on the same flight as beloved former manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Pochettino was serenaded by the Spurs supporters as he boarded a plane to Spain for their Champions League last 16 tie against Atletico Madrid.

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Pochettino is set to be in the stands for the match at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium as a special guest of Atletico.

Footage from on board the aircraft shows Pochettino being serenaded before turning to wave towards the supporters.

Chants urging him to return to the club for a second spell as manager can then be heard.

talkSPORT’s Jim Proudfoot and Scott Minto were also on board the Spain-bound flight.

The pair will provide live commentary from the Spanish capital for Tuesday’s first leg, live on talkSPORT, kick-off 8pm.

Adrian Durham presents coverage on talkSPORT with Kick Off from 7pm.

To tune in via the talkSPORT website, click HERE for the livestream.

You can also listen on the talkSPORT app here, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Could Pochettino make Spurs return?

Pochettino spent five years in charge at Spurs between 2014 and 2019, winning 160 of his 293 matches at the helm.

During that period, he qualified for the Champions League in each of his four full seasons in the dugout.

Meanwhile, Spurs’ second place finish under Pochettino in 2017 is their highest since winning a second league title in 1961.

He also guided the club to a League Cup final alongside the to date only Champions League final in their history.

The 54-year-old is currently in charge of the USA national team ahead of this summer’s World Cup.

Having been appointed in September 2024, Pochettino’s contract is currently due to expire after the tournament on home soil.

However, talkSPORT understands Pochettino remains open to the Spurs role with Igor Tudor’s deal to run out at the end of the season.

Pochettino is also keen on a return even if Spurs are relegated to the Championship.

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His former side are currently in crisis as Tudor awaits his first win as manager.

The Croatian has lost each of his three matches since replacing Thomas Frank as boss last month.

Spurs sit just a point above the relegation zone in the Premier League and are at risk of a first relegation for 49 years.