Mauricio Pochettino has always been a pleasant presence – warm, engaging and easy to like. After a brief period away from the constant glare of the media, the Sky Sports News crew exchanged summer anecdotes and shared enthusiastic embraces. Pochettino’s schedule, however, proved far busier than anyone’s. The ex‑Tottenham manager steered the United States side to the round of 16 at the World Cup, only to see the host nation’s aspirations shattered by a disciplined Belgian performance.
That headline only scratches the surface of what turned out to be an extraordinary few weeks for the Argentine coach. From the ever‑present political drama involving former President Donald Trump to heated locker‑room discussions, from the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun’s suspension to the unexpected fashion spotlight that landed on Pochettino’s navy‑blue sideline attire, the period was packed with intrigue. A few weeks later another headline emerged: Pochettino, perhaps to the surprise of some, had signed a new four‑year contract to remain with the U.S.
national team. Where to begin?
I smile, he chuckles, and says he’s ready for the next challenge. His reflections on the World Cup provide a natural starting point. The most significant lesson, according to Pochettino, is how much he and his backroom staff – especially long‑time assistant Jesús Pérez – have grown. “We are much better coaches now,” he asserts.
That admission is telling, because the tournament reinforced his hunger for continual learning and adaptation. He emphasizes the importance of minute details, the difficulty of making flawless decisions, and the challenge of translating ideas to a group of players who spend far less time together than a club side does.
“Everything needs to be perfect,” he adds. Managing a World Cup is already a pressure cooker, but managing a home tournament for a nation whose president relishes the limelight adds a whole new level of intensity. Unsurprisingly, Pochettino chooses his words carefully, highlighting the support he received from Trump and the administration.
When asked about his involvement in overturning Balogun’s suspension, he acknowledged that “politics and manipulation” had clouded the Belgium match. He recognized the anger surrounding the episode but kept his role simple: “If you pay attention to the noise, you become crazy.” FIFA eventually cleared Balogun, and Pochettino noted that once the letter confirming the player’s eligibility arrived the day before the match, the decision was straightforward. Balogun resurfaced in the headlines later when his proposed transfer from Monaco to Everton fell through on deadline day.
Pochettino has not spoken to him yet, deliberately giving the striker space because he knows the situation would be delicate. He would have liked to see Balogun in the Premier League, but the player remains at Monaco, and Pochettino hopes the youngster can find a good environment to develop. Then there was the fashion angle. Pochettino has always taken his appearance seriously, but few could have predicted the impact of his navy‑blue tracksuit on the global stage.
The outfit sparked its own media buzz, especially after former England captain Wayne Rooney was spotted purchasing the same look. “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, rumours began to link Pochettino with several clubs searching for a new manager. Those whispers were short‑lived, however, as the coach confirmed he would stay with the United States.
If he sees his contract through to 2030, that means six years away from club football – a considerable stretch. Does that signal the end of his Premier League ambitions? He disagrees.
Pochettino says his goal is not only to return to English football but also to compete for trophies. “I have the ambition,” he states. “My dream now is to be in the USA for four years, but after that, why not? We are 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 with the possibility of winning.” He adds, “I love the football here.
I think to have the chance again is one of my wishes and I hope that happens.” That unfinished business reminds me of an interview I conducted with Pochettino about 18 months ago, when he expressed a desire to someday return to Tottenham. At that time, Spurs were struggling under Ange Postecoglou. Since then, Postecoglou has departed, Thomas Frank and Igor Tudor have come and gone, and the club has hovered dangerously close to relegation.
When asked whether a rescue call ever came, Pochettino replied, “Always I say, one day, why not?” Was there ever a realistic chance this time? He says, “People talk and maybe we receive some approach, but it never was close.” So the answer is no, not this time. What about other potential jobs, such as a move to AC Milan?
“We were not open during the World Cup to talk with different clubs that were interested,” he explains. Were clubs actually knocking?
“Yes, always,” he says with a grin, as if it were the norm. “Yes, always have different, you know, options.” I press further: “Did any of them get close to catching your attention?” “We never gave the opportunity to be close. We always closed the door before it got close,” he answers.
Turning to his former club Tottenham, he notes, “They are investing like other clubs,” acknowledging the shift after a few difficult seasons. Spurs have altered their strategy, now splashing cash on players already accustomed to the Premier League.
Pochettino reflects on how close he once came to delivering league and European success with a modest budget, and he wonders, with a hypothetical £300 million war chest, what he might have achieved. He smiles mischievously, pretending he can’t quite grasp a sum that large.
Does he think the new spending approach will work? “You never know,” he replies. “We need time to see if that works or not. Like in all the games, when you make a decision like a coach that can work well or not.
I think it's a different strategy and a different way to operate. I always wish the best for Tottenham because it's in my heart.” He also comments on the evolution at Chelsea. The head‑coach title he held two years ago has been changed to manager, and the club’s transfer policy now favours Premier League‑ready signings rather than long‑term projects, a shift that mirrors Xabi Alonso’s vision. Pochettino is reluctant to draw direct parallels, but he sees a shared ambition between the two London clubs.
“Buying players like this you can expect to fight, to be a contender for the Premier League,” he concedes. Chelsea’s recent loss to Arsenal has already provided a reality check, yet Pochettino urges patience with Alonso. “Of course they are disappointed after the defeat against Arsenal, but I think we need to give time to Xabi's first season after three games in the Premier League,” he says. “I think we need to give time, and of course for Tottenham the same.” Regarding Arsenal, Pochettino is generous: “Mikel [Arteta] is the best coach in the Premier League today.
Knowing what he needs to do, it's going to be tough to beat them.” Overall, Pochettino’s summer was a whirlwind of football, politics, fashion and speculation. While he remains committed to the United States for the foreseeable future, his heart still beats for English football, and he has made it clear that a return to the Premier League – and perhaps even a second spell at Tottenham – remains a dream he hopes to fulfil when the right moment arrives.