Spurs fans serenade former boss Mauricio Pochettino during flight to Madrid

Mauricio Pochettino was serenaded by Tottenham fans ahead of being in attendance for Tuesday’s Champions League fixture between Atletico Madrid and his old club.

Spurs face Atletico at Riyadh Air Metropolitano in the first leg of a Champions League last-16 tie and the fixture will bring back painful memories after defeat in the 2019 Champions League final to Liverpool at the same venue.

Pochettino was in charge of Tottenham for that historic run and speculation over an emotional return to north London will only increase after he was invited to this match as a guest of Atletico, Press Association understands.

United States boss Pochettino’s invitation will presumably be linked to cast an eye over Atletico’s American midfielder Johnny Cardosa, but he felt the love from Spurs fans on a flight from London to Madrid on Tuesday when he was serenaded with songs.

A video on social media showed the song ‘He’s Magic You Know’ being chanted to Pochettino on a flight before supporters shouted ‘come back’ as the 54-year-old waved.

Tottenham fans were singing the name of Pochettino during last month’s 2-1 home defeat to Newcastle and the Argentinian coach has frequently been linked with a return to the north London club since his 2019 departure.

Pochettino will lead USA at this summer’s home World Cup, but his contract is set to expire after the conclusion of the tournament. Real Madrid have also been rumoured as a potential destination for the ex-Paris St Germain boss.