Mauricio Pochettino believes he missed out on the Manchester United job because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
United confirmed Erik ten Hag as Ralf Rangnick's successor in April, with many critics viewing the Dutchman and Pochettino as the main two candidates for the job. At the time, Ten Hag was in charge of Ajax and Pochettino was working for Paris Saint-Germain.
Ten Hag's side were storming their way to a third consecutive Eredivisie title, underlining his status as one of the club's best managers in recent years. Pochettino, meanwhile, was on the verge of being sacked by PSG for failing to win the Champions League.
As such, Ten Hag's stock was much higher than Pochettino's in April, when United made their decision. "Soccer is timing," Pochettino told Radio Marca, per TEAMtalk. "These are the moments for it to coincide and for that marriage to happen. Sometimes it’s just a matter of time.
"I don’t believe in trains passing only once. I think that sometimes you have to have the necessary patience and you have to know how to wait. The ‘timing’ is handled by football, it is true that my name has always been associated with big clubs.
"I have a lot of respect for professionals and it’s hard for me to sell myself, that’s work for you. That routine that is generated when you are at work is created as a result of the adrenaline of day to day. You miss it.
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"Now what we do is get together, zoom, eat with the family and talk about the great debates that we generate. That is missed. But at the same time we do things that when you are immersed in the battle of work we cannot do. Being with family heals a lot."
Pochettino was viewed as a potential United boss during his time in charge of Tottenham, when he led them to Champions League and EFL Cup finals, as well as a runners-up spot in the Premier League. Even Sir Alex Ferguson is a huge fan of Pochettino.
"Well, the manager [Pochettino] has been fantastic," said Ferguson in April 2016. "They [Tottenham] have a bad record of managers, there is no doubt about that. They have had so many over the years, but this lad has composure.
"You never see him ruffled and the way his team play is a testimony to the work he is doing. The most important thing for English football is how many English and young players are in his team. He understands the advantage of playing young people."
Pochettino is out of work and the second-favourite to succeed Gareth Southgate as the England manager. Many onlookers anticipate Southgate will step down from his position at the end of the World Cup, particularly if England fail to go the distance.
Other names in the frame include Brendan Rodgers, Thomas Tuchel and Eddie Howe. When asked by The Athletic about the England job, Pochettino said: "I feel so comfortable here. You never know what happens. I am open to everything."
