Tiago Gouveia Says He Would Enjoy Working With Jose Mourinho During Nice Loan

On-loan Benfica winger Tiago Gouveia said he has been told he would enjoy working with Jose Mourinho as he completes his first season outside Portugal with Nice, comments that arrived alongside fresh managerial headlines linking Mauricio Pochettino with Real Madrid and drawing reaction from the USMNT and Tottenham Hotspur.

Tiago Gouveia Says He Would Enjoy Working With Jose Mourinho

Gouveia told the Final Cut podcast that he had heard he would enjoy working with Jose Mourinho. He said he values projects and managers he can work with, naming Paulo Fonseca and Roberto De Zerbi as references for the kinds of coaches he appreciates. He also singled out Renato Paiva, António Oliveira and Nélson Veríssimo, adding that being coached by Renato Paiva “gave me the spark to one day become a coach. ”

The winger reflected on a recent match at the Parc des Princes, recalling how former Benfica team-mate Gonçalo Ramos made an immediate impact when he came on; Nice lost 1-0 with the Portugal international scoring in stoppage time. This season Gouveia has made 26 appearances for Nice — 14 in Ligue 1, seven in the Europa League and two in the Coupe de France — and has played 934 minutes, scoring two goals, both in European competition.

Real Madrid Have Mauricio Pochettino On Their Shortlist As Club Scours Market

Real Madrid have placed Mauricio Pochettino on a shortlist of candidates to replace Álvaro Arbeloa next season as the club begins to scout the coaching market ahead of what is expected to be a busy summer. The club has initiated a review that could bring significant structural changes, including in the transfer department.

Arbeloa was appointed to replace Xabi Alonso earlier in the season, but it was not clarified how long his deal runs and he was not widely seen as a long-term solution. Observers inside the club say Arbeloa would need “a miracle” or to win the Champions League to retain his position. Madrid have discussed offering him another role to remain with the organisation, including the option of returning to the reserve team role with Castilla.

Those evaluating candidates regard Pochettino highly. The club is considering different names as it prepares for a managerial change that could reshape the sporting project.

Pochettino’s Response Leaves USMNT And Tottenham Scrambling

When asked directly about the Real Madrid links, Mauricio Pochettino described the situation as having “many rumors, ” calling them “almost always negative” but adding that he maintains very good relationships with almost all clubs, not only with Madrid. He is the current coach of the United States, and his contract runs through the 2026 FIFA World Cup; a strong performance from the USMNT at the tournament could prompt an extension of his deal.

Pochettino’s name has been associated with several high-profile jobs. He has previously been linked with a return to Tottenham Hotspur, a club where supporters and officials have retained an interest in him. Tottenham have endured a difficult season and sit perilously close to the relegation zone, creating pressure at the club that could influence managerial moves. The prospect of Pochettino moving has left both the national team setup and Tottenham monitoring developments.

Both strands of coverage—Gouveia’s comments referencing Jose Mourinho and the unfolding managerial story around Pochettino and Real Madrid—are likely to evolve over the coming weeks as clubs finalise plans for the summer. For now, Gouveia is completing his loan spell in Nice while the coaching market prepares for potential change ahead of next season.