Mauricio Pochettino told the BBC that he “misses” the Premier League and says he's open "one day to come back" to club football. The Argentine is preparing to guide the USMNT in the 2026 World Cup in the U.S, Canada and Mexico, adding that he's "so happy in America." But he also said that the intensity and competition of England’s top flight remain unmatched.
USMNT boss on the Premier League
Pochettino has admitted that he is “missing” the Premier League and is already thinking about returning to English football in the future. The former Tottenham and Chelsea boss, now in charge of the United States men’s national team, said he remains happy in his current role but cannot deny that the Premier League’s energy and competitiveness continue to draw him back.
Having enjoyed nearly a decade in the competition across three Premier League clubs, Pochettino reflected on his enduring connection to England’s top division and his ambition to one day complete the unfinished business he left behind.
The Argentine coach has been in charge of the USMNT since September 2024, guiding the team through a challenging rebuild ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which the country will co-host with Canada and Mexico. While his record stands at 11 wins from 20 matches, criticism has emerged following defeats to Mexico, Panama, and South Korea.
Through his work with the national team at next year's home World Cup, Pochettino is tasked with helping drive the growth of the sport in the U.S., telling BBC Sport, "The motivation is massive. Sometimes you feel that people don't understand too much.
"You find some coaches that say, 'Oh you know, you need to know the culture of the American player.' I say 'No, I know the most important thing is the culture of football and soccer. We need to translate the culture of football to the American player.' I think after one year we are making great progress. We are building with people that the language of football is only one, and it doesn't care if you are American, Brazilian or English. Our football is to compete in the way that you need to compete, if you want to win."
AdvertisementGetty Images SportPochettino 'misses' the Premier League
Regarding club football, Pochettino acknowledged that “the Premier League is the best league in the world. Of course I am missing it. I am so happy in America but also thinking one day to come back to the Premier League. It’s the most competitive league.”
The 53-year-old also reflected on his time in England, particularly with Tottenham, where he came closest to winning major silverware: "I think we were so close in Tottenham, we nearly touched it – winning the Champions League and Premier League. That is a thing that I would want to achieve,” he said, before admitting that his unfinished business in English football still drives him.
Pochettino also opened up about the differences between club and international management, conceding that the long gaps between games have taken some getting used to.
"The intensity is completely different because you need to arrive for a few days to prepare the game and play, prepare another game, play, and go back," Pochettino said. "After November, we are going to have three months until March to prepare another game. In a national team you are desperate to coach the players. You feel empty because after the second game you cannot have communication and you cannot keep working on improving things."
Getty Images SportPochettino's Premier League legacy
Pochettino’s journey through the Premier League has been one of both admiration and frustration. He made his English football debut in 2013 with Southampton, where he implemented a pressing, attack-minded system that quickly earned plaudits. His single full season saw the Saints finish eighth – their best top-flight finish in over a decade – and paved the way for his move to Tottenham the following year.
It was at Spurs where Pochettino cemented his reputation as one of Europe’s elite coaches. Between 2014 and 2019, he transformed the club into title challengers and Champions League finalists, developing a young and dynamic squad featuring Harry Kane, Son Heung-Min, and Dele Alli.
Despite narrowly missing out on both the Premier League and European crowns, his achievements at Tottenham remain a high point in the club’s modern history, and his departure in 2019 was widely viewed as premature.
After a brief stint in France with Paris Saint-Germain, where he won Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France, Pochettino returned to England in 2023 to manage Chelsea. His time at Stamford Bridge lasted just one season, marked by inconsistency but also a late surge that secured European football for the Blues. He left by mutual consent in May 2024, a decision that soon led to his appointment as USMNT head coach four months later.
Focus on the World Cup
Pochettino’s immediate task is to prepare the United States for the 2026 World Cup, a tournament that will define his future prospects. While progress has been evident, pressure is mounting for Pochettino to deliver tangible success on home soil, with tall expectations as the tournament approaches.
His reputation in England remains strong, particularly at Tottenham, where fans still view him fondly despite his five-year absence. Several top-flight clubs are expected to monitor his availability post-World Cup, especially those seeking a manager capable of combining long-term player development with attacking football.