Call It What You Want: A CBS Sports Golazo Network Podcast · CBS Sports, USMNT, U.S. Soccer, MLS, World Cup, UCL, Americans Abroad

Tottenham links, World Cup looming: What it means for Poch (Soccer 2/12)

·1 hr 4 min·3 clips

The panel splits on whether Pochettino would take Tottenham even if the club were relegated.

1. Call It What You Want: A CBS Sports Golazo Network Podcast centers this episode on Tottenham links, Mauricio Pochettino, Americans abroad, and the MLS kit rankings. 2. Jimmy Conrad, Charlie Davies, and Tony Miola host the show and drive the discussion as former U.S. players who can speak to coaching, contracts, and player development. 3. The episode asks whether Pochettino can leave the U.S. men's national team for Tottenham before the World Cup, and whether that move would make any sense for either side. 4. The hosts say Pochettino coached Tottenham from 2014 to 2019, reached a Champions League final, and is currently third in the bookmakers' market for the job. 5. They also say a mid-cycle exit would involve a hefty buyout and would look bad after his repeated messages about focus, family, and the World Cup. 6. Tottenham's urgency matters because the panel says the club is only five points above the relegation zone and could be tempted by an interim appointment. 7. Nottingham Forest enters the conversation through owner Evangelos Marinakis, Sean Dyche's dismissal, and the idea that managers are being judged in survival mode. 8. Roberto De Zerbi comes up as a possible name for both Tottenham and any short-term project, but the hosts doubt he would accept a five- or six-month deal. 9. Tim Sherwood is mentioned as another linked name, and the panel also references Robbie Keane and Michael Carrick as examples of less experienced choices. 10. The most direct disagreement comes over whether Pochettino would ever take Tottenham if the club were relegated, with Jimmy Conrad saying yes and Tony Miola saying no. 11. Tony Miola argues Pochettino would not lower his standards because Tottenham should be competing for the Champions League and Premier League, not the Championship. 12. The show then uses a pre-contract example from Antonio Conte and Italy to discuss whether Pochettino could agree now but delay the move until after the World Cup. 13. Jimmy Conrad cites a Sky Sports quote from Tim Sherwood saying it would be almost impossible for Tottenham to look beyond Pochettino because of the support around the club. 14. The panel also brings up Julian Lopetegui's 2018 departure from Spain before the World Cup as a warning about hidden negotiations. 15. After the coaching debate, the episode turns to Americans abroad, starting with a recap of Real Sociedad's 1-0 win over Athletic in the Copa del Rey semifinal first leg. 16. The rundown also notes Tyler Adams as an unused sub for Bournemouth, Christian Pulisic back in training, Chris Richards playing 90 minutes in Crystal Palace's 3-2 loss to Burnley, and Brendan Aaronson playing 90 minutes in Leeds' 2-2 draw with Chelsea. 17. Fulham's 3-0 loss to Manchester City leads into the Jedi Robinson discussion, where the hosts wonder whether his two straight games on the bench are load management or a response to his defending. 18. The tone stays conversational and argumentative, with birthday jokes, a long birthday list, and soccer analysis moving back and forth without a formal interview structure. 19. Listeners who follow U.S. internationals, Premier League managers, and transfer rumors will get the most from this episode. 20. Listeners wanting a tight one-topic breakdown may skip the birthday banter and kit side quests.

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