Mauricio Pochettino has always been a pleasant presence – warm, approachable and genuinely likable. After a brief period away from the constant glare of the media, the Sky Sports News crew gathered for a relaxed summer catch‑up, swapping stories and sharing hearty embraces. Pochettino’s recent weeks, however, have been far more eventful than ours. The ex‑Tottenham manager steered the United States to the knockout stage of the World Cup, only to see the host nation’s aspirations crumble against Belgium.
That headline, though accurate, barely scratches the surface of an extraordinary fortnight for the Argentine tactician. There was Donald Trump – an inevitable figure given the political climate – and the inevitable locker‑room pep talk. There was Trump, FIFA, the reversal of Folarin Balogun’s suspension, and, surprisingly, a surge in Pochettino’s fashion profile.
A few weeks later another major development emerged: Pochettino, perhaps to the surprise of some, extended his contract with the U.S. national team for an additional four years.
Where to begin? I grin before I joke, and Pochettino merely chuckles, saying he’s ready for what lies ahead. His reflections on the World Cup provide a natural starting point. He stresses that the tournament taught him and his backroom staff – especially his long‑time deputy Jesús Pérez – valuable lessons.
“We are much better coaches now,” he asserts. That admission is telling; the World Cup reinforced his hunger for continuous improvement. He emphasizes the significance of minute details, the difficulty of making flawless decisions, and the challenge of conveying his ideas to a group of players who spend far less time together than a club side. “Everything has to be perfect,” he adds.
At times the experience must have felt chaotic. Managing a World Cup is one thing; managing a home World Cup for a nation whose president loves the spotlight is another.
Unsurprisingly, Pochettino chooses his words with care, highlighting the support he received from Trump’s administration. When asked about his involvement in overturning Balogun’s suspension, he acknowledged that “politics and manipulation” had clouded the Belgium match. He understood the public anger but kept his role simple: “If you listen to the noise, you go mad.” FIFA eventually cleared Balogun, and Pochettino recalled, “When the letter arrived the day before the game confirming Balogun was available, the decision was straightforward.” Balogun resurfaced in the headlines recently after his proposed transfer from Monaco to Everton fell apart on deadline day. Pochettino has not spoken to him yet, deliberately giving the player space because he knows it would be a delicate situation.
He would have liked to see Balogun in the Premier League, but the young striker remains at Monaco, and Pochettino hopes his career finds the right footing. Fashion also entered the conversation. Pochettino has always taken his appearance seriously, but few could have predicted the buzz generated by his navy‑blue touchline outfit. The look even caught the eye of Wayne Rooney, who bought a similar jacket.
“I saw him. He looked good on him, like a top coach,” Pochettino laughed.
It truly was a summer that had it all. As the football world moved beyond the World Cup, rumors swirled linking Pochettino to several clubs seeking a new manager.
Those whispers were short‑lived, however, as the news of his contract extension with the United States broke, quelling speculation. If he stays on until 2030, six years away from club football feels like an eternity.
Does that signal the end of his Premier League ambitions? He disagrees. His desire is not merely to return to English football but to compete for trophies. “I have the ambition,” he says.
“My dream now is to be in the USA for four years, but after that, why not? We’re still young, and I think coming back is always my goal – to win the Premier League, to be in the Premier League and to build a project that can deliver silverware.” “I love the football here. Having another chance is one of my wishes and I hope it happens,” he adds. That unfinished business reminds me of an interview I conducted with Pochettino about 18 months ago, when he spoke of a longing to return to Spurs.
At that time Tottenham were struggling under Ange Postecoglou. Since then, Postecoglou has departed, and Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor have come and gone as the club flirted with relegation. When asked if a rescue call ever materialised, Pochettino replied, “I always say, one day, why not?” Was a return ever on the table this time? He says, “People talk and maybe we receive some approach, but it never was close.” So not this time.
What about other potential jobs – AC Milan, for example, seemed a plausible destination at one point. “We were not open during the World Cup to talk with clubs that were interested,” he explains.
But were clubs interested? “Yes, always,” he says, as if it were a given. “There are always different options.” I press further: “Did any of them capture your attention?” “We never let the opportunity get close. We always shut the door before it got near,” he replies.
Regarding Tottenham’s current situation, he notes, “They are investing like other clubs now,” acknowledging the shift after a few difficult seasons. The North London side has altered its strategy, splashing cash on players already accustomed to the Premier League. Pochettino reflects on how close he once came to delivering league and European glory with a modest budget, and wonders what he might have achieved with a £300 million war chest. He smiles mischievously, pretending he can’t quite fathom that amount.
Does he think the new spending model will work? “You never know,” he admits.
“We need time to see if it pays off.” He likens it to a coach’s decision on the pitch – it can succeed or fail. “It’s a different strategy and a different way to operate. I always wish the best for Tottenham because it’s in my heart.” Chelsea, too, have undergone a strategic shift. The head‑coach role he held two years ago has been rebranded as manager, and the club’s transfer policy now favours Premier League‑ready signings rather than long‑term projects under Xabi Alonso.
Pochettino is cautious about direct comparisons, but he recognises a shared ambition between the two clubs and concedes, “Buying players like this you can expect to fight, to be a contender for the Premier League.” Chelsea’s early defeat to Arsenal has already offered a reality check, yet Pochettino urges patience with Alonso. “Of course they’re disappointed after the loss to Arsenal, but we need to give Xabi time in his first Premier League season,” he says. “We need to give time, and the same goes for Tottenham.” When asked about Arsenal’s standing, he replies, “Mikel [Arteta] is the best coach in the Premier League today.
Knowing what he needs to do, it’ll be tough to beat them.” The summer may have ended, but the story of Pochettino’s journey – from World Cup challenges to fashion moments, from contract extensions to lingering Premier League dreams – continues to unfold.