Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the United States men’s national soccer team, has expressed that he is “missing” the Premier League and is eager to return to England to work in the future.
Pochettino took on the role of USMNT head coach in September 2024, just four months after his departure from Chelsea. He is currently preparing to lead the team in the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
“The Premier League is the best league in the world,” he told the BBC. “Of course I miss it. I’m very happy in America, but I also think about one day returning to the Premier League. It’s the most competitive league.”
Pochettino gained recognition during his impressive tenure at Tottenham Hotspur, where he led the team to the Champions League final and contested for two Premier League titles.
“At Tottenham, we were so close to winning a major trophy. That’s something I aspire to achieve,” Pochettino remarked.
After being hired and subsequently let go by long-time Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, Pochettino expressed surprise at Levy’s decision to step down from his position on September 4, ending his 24-year tenure at the club.
“I was very surprised by Levy’s exit. His legacy is remarkable. He accomplished a lot for the club,” Pochettino noted. “I always had a good relationship with him, both during my time at Tottenham and after. He was crucial in giving me the opportunity to manage Tottenham, which I consider one of the best clubs in the world with an incredible fan base.”
Pochettino’s compatriot, Lionel Messi, who played under him at Paris Saint-Germain, joined MLS side Inter Miami in 2023 and recently extended his contract. His arrival has significantly boosted attendance at MLS matches across the country.
“I believe that players like Messi inspire kids. Now, when children think about sports, they want to play soccer along with basketball, American football, or baseball,” Pochettino commented.
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As he leads the national team in the upcoming World Cup, Pochettino aims to foster the growth of soccer in the U.S.
“The motivation is immense. Sometimes it feels like people don’t fully grasp it,” he stated. “Some coaches might say: ‘You need to understand the culture of the American player.’ I disagree. What’s essential is understanding the culture of football itself, and we need to convey that to the American player.”
“I believe that in just one year, we’ve made remarkable strides. We’re collaborating with individuals who recognize that the language of football is universal. It doesn’t matter whether you’re American, Brazilian, or English. Our objective is to compete in the manner necessary to win,” he concluded.