Pochettino Eyes a Premier League Comeback as USMNT Gears Up for World Cup 2026

Pochettino's Premier League longing

Mauricio Pochettino, the former Tottenham manager, has again stated that he misses the intensity and atmosphere of the English Premier League and could consider returning one day, even as he focuses on guiding the United States ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

USMNT era and Premier League ties

Now in charge of the United States men’s national team for a defining chapter on the global stage, Pochettino has previously coached three English clubs—Southampton, Tottenham, and Chelsea—highlighting a career that culminated in Tottenham’s 2019 UEFA Champions League final appearance.

In an interview with BBC, he said the Premier League is the best league in the world, that he misses it, and that he is happy in the United States but also thinks about returning someday. He added that it is the most competitive competition.

Legacy, trophies, and conversations with Levy

While his Paris Saint-Germain spell yielded league and cup successes, critics often point to a lack of major trophies in his career. This remains a talking point among some fans during his Tottenham chapter.

From 2014 to 2019, Pochettino steered Tottenham to a runners-up finish in 2016-2017, reached the League Cup final in 2015, and made the Champions League final in 2019, elevating North London to a prominent European standing.

He has stayed in touch with Tottenham's former chairman Daniel Levy, who stunned many by stepping down as chief executive in September last year after 24 years at the club.

Levy's era and the club's evolution

Under Levy, Tottenham celebrated a League Cup triumph in 2008 and, per the report, claimed the Europa League in 2025, alongside a major infrastructure upgrade with a move to a new, world-class stadium.

Reflecting on Levy’s departure, Pochettino said that he was surprised, and that Levy's legacy is clear and what he did for the club was amazing. He added that their relationship remained strong and that Levy gave him the chance to coach a big club, which he still regards as among the best in the world with a fantastic fanbase.

USMNT challenges and Messi’s impact

Since taking command of the United States in September 2024, he has faced a tough task to deliver strong results at a World Cup staged on American soil.

In 20 games with the US, he has won 11 and lost to notable opponents such as Mexico, Panama, Canada, Turkey, Switzerland, and South Korea, amid criticism over results and evolving cultural dynamics within the squad.

He also acknowledged the challenges of translating football culture to American players and adapting to national-team rhythms, which differ markedly from club football.

The pace is completely different. We prepare for a match for a few days, then play; afterward you have months before the next game. With national teams you can sometimes feel a void because after the second game you can’t stay with the players every day.

On Messi’s influence, he noted that Messi’s arrival in MLS in 2023 has boosted football’s popularity in the United States. Messi helps kids, arguing that the sport must be taught as a shared football culture rather than separated by nationality.

He concluded that progress is tangible after a year: we are building a system with a single language of football, regardless of whether a player is American, Brazilian, or English. The aim is to compete in the right way if we want to win.

Punchline: Pochettino’s plan is so precise that his press conference might need a red dot sight and a stopwatch. Punchline 2: In this game, patience is a sniper’s bullet—quiet, measured, and probably headed for the net.