Mauricio Pochettino, now managing the U.S. men's national soccer team, has stated that Tottenham Hotspur should be awarded the 2017 Premier League title, which was won by Chelsea. Pochettino, who managed Tottenham during that period, believes Chelsea should forfeit the championship due to admitted breaches of Premier League rules concerning secret payments to agents.
Chelsea were fined by the Premier League this year for exceeding £47 million in illegal payments to unregistered agents and third parties between 2011 and 2018. These payments were involved in transfers, including the acquisition of Eden Hazard, who was instrumental in Chelsea's 2017 title win over Tottenham.
Pochettino drew a parallel to Olympic disqualifications, suggesting that if a winning athlete is disqualified, the silver medalist inherits the gold. "We should win one title, one Premier League," Pochettino insisted. "We should have been awarded it. They were punished. They admitted it. The title should be for the team that was second."
He argued that his Tottenham team, which scored 86 goals and accumulated 86 points that season, did not compete on a level playing field. "The title should be for the team that was second," he said. "We deserve to be champions that year. We didn't compete with the same rules."
Despite his past association with both clubs, Pochettino stated he would hold the same view if Tottenham had committed similar offenses. "If Tottenham broke the rules, I'd say we don't deserve the title," he affirmed. "But if you broke the rules, then 'ciao', you need to give it to another team."
Pochettino also confirmed that Tottenham Hotspur contacted him earlier this year as the club faced a challenging mid-season period and approached relegation. He indicated that he would have returned to manage Spurs, even if they were in the second division.
"If I was free, of course, I come," Pochettino said, though he was committed to preparing the U.S. national team for the World Cup at the time. He has consistently expressed a desire to return to Tottenham one day, stating it's the "only club that always I am open to help, whatever division."
Tottenham ultimately appointed Roberto De Zerbi on a long-term deal, ending speculation of a reunion with Pochettino. He reflected on his own departure from Spurs in 2019, maintaining contact with former chairman Daniel Levy. "He feels like I did when I was sacked," Pochettino noted, expressing empathy for Levy's recent ousting.
Pochettino has recently signed a four-year contract extension with the U.S. men's national team, committing him through the 2030 World Cup cycle. He cited the positive bonds formed and the federation's trust following the team's early successes at the World Cup as reasons for his decision.
He described international management as more "pure," valuing the intensity and motivation of players who join out of desire rather than obligation. Pochettino also expressed support for Harry Kane winning the Ballon d'Or, calling it "Harry Kane's time."