Former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has expressed his desire to return to the Premier League, admitting he deeply misses English football. Currently managing the United States national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, the Argentine coach says the league remains unmatched in its intensity and competition.
“The Premier League is the best league in the world,” Pochettino told BBC Sport. “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.”
Pochettino has previously managed Southampton, Tottenham, and Chelsea, with his most successful period coming at Spurs. Between 2014 and 2019, he led them to the Champions League final in 2019, a Premier League runners-up finish in 2016–17, and an EFL Cup final in 2015.
“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,” said Pochettino, who still shares a cordial relationship with former Spurs chairman Daniel Levy.
Levy, who left his post in September 2025 after more than two decades, oversaw Tottenham’s 2008 EFL Cup and 2025 Europa League triumphs and the construction of their new stadium.
“I was very surprised [at Levy’s departure]. His legacy is there. It’s amazing what he did for the club,” Pochettino added. “My relationship always was good with him. He gave me the possibility to manage a club like Tottenham, one of the best clubs in the world, with an amazing fanbase.”
Adapting to Challenges as USA Head Coach
Since taking over the US national team in September 2024, Pochettino’s tenure has been a mix of highs and lows. Out of 20 games, he has won 11 but suffered defeats to Mexico, Panama, Canada, Turkey, Switzerland, and South Korea, drawing criticism from some quarters.
“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 explained. “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.”
The coach has also faced cultural hurdles, such as the mindset of players and low home crowd support compared to away fans. Despite these challenges, Pochettino says he remains focused on building a strong team identity and instilling a winning mentality.
Football’s Rising Influence in the United States
Pochettino believes football’s growing popularity in America, especially after Lionel Messi’s arrival in MLS, has sparked new enthusiasm among young players.
“I think players like Messi are helping the kids… now they want to play also soccer,” he said. “The motivation is massive. We are building [ideas] with people that the language of football is only one and it doesn’t care if you are American, Brazilian, or English.”
He added, “We need to translate the culture of football to the American player. After one year we are making great progress.”
As he continues preparing for the 2026 World Cup, Pochettino’s passion for the Premier League remains undimmed — hinting that his next chapter may once again unfold on English soil.
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