Pochettino Hints at Major USMNT Shake-Up in Bold New Direction
Mauricio Pochettino has raised questions about his future commitment to the U.S. men's national team by confessing that he "longs for" a return to the Premier League.
The coach previously dedicated nearly ten years to English football, managing Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea, with an intermission at Paris Saint-Germain. His USMNT deal extends through the 2026 World Cup.
The Argentine maintains a residence in London where he frequently returns, splitting his time between England and the U.S. Soccer headquarters in Atlanta. Despite expressing satisfaction with coaching the American squad and preparing for an upcoming home World Cup, Pochettino has restated his enduring ambition to eventually rejoin the Premier League.
"The Premier League stands as the world's premier competition," the 53-year-old shared with BBC Sport in Britain. "Naturally, I yearn for it. While I'm content in America, I also contemplate returning to the Premier League someday. It represents the most challenging league."
Although Pochettino shocked observers by taking the Chelsea position in 2023, given their fierce rivalry with Tottenham, it appears to be Spurs that truly captures his heart.
"At Tottenham, we came incredibly close, we almost grasped it [Champions League and Premier League victories]. That remains something I aspire to accomplish," he explained.
'Before I Die, I Want to Manage Tottenham'
Dismissed mere months after leading Spurs to their inaugural Champions League final in 2019—while also achieving their finest domestic campaign in over fifty years with a Premier League runner-up finish in 2016–17—Pochettino has openly expressed his wish to return.
"Upon leaving the club, I recall stating in an interview that I hoped to return to Tottenham one day," he told Sky Sports this year.
"I'm currently in the USA, so I won't elaborate on that, but my previous sentiments remain unchanged after six years. I still harbor the feeling that, yes, I would welcome the opportunity to return. We'll see about the timing."
Following his departure, Pochettino maintained contact with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, which supporters believed kept possibilities alive. With Levy now stepping aside after a quarter-century in charge and new leadership structures emerging, plus Thomas Frank beginning his own project, the opportunity may not be as straightforward. However, nothing can be completely dismissed.
"It was an incredible experience that concluded in a manner nobody desired," Pochettino reflected in 2020 about his still-vivid Spurs tenure during a BT Sport discussion.
"Yet deep within, I'm confident our journeys will intersect again. Since departing the club, my aspiration has been to return someday and complete what we left unfinished. We were so near to claiming the Premier League and Champions League. In my core, I desire to go back because the supporters are extraordinary. Perhaps in five years, maybe in ten years, but before my time ends, I want to manage Tottenham."