Mauricio Pochettino has claimed that he failed to become the new manager of Manchester United in the summer because of timing.
The former Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham manager has come close on several occasions to being appointed at Old Trafford.
Pochettino was coveted by Sir Alex Ferguson in the past and was again in the running to succeed Ralf Rangnick in the summer, only for United to appoint Erik ten Hag instead.
The 50-year-old has been out of work since he was sacked by Paris Saint-Germain in the summer and is biding his time before making a return to management.
Earlier this week, Pochettino was coy on the possibility of one day managing the England national team and, speaking with Radio Marca, believes there is still a chance he could one day land the United job.
Soccer is timing
He said: ‘Soccer is ‘timing’. 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.
‘Now what we do is get together, zoom, eat with the family and talk about the great debates that we generate (together with the coaching staff).
‘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.’