Mauricio Pochettino eager to come back to the Premier League

Upcoming Focus for Mauricio Pochettino

ATLANTA — Although Mauricio Pochettino is getting ready for his role with the U.S. men’s national team, his sights are firmly set on England.

As he gears up for this summer’s World Cup in his home country, Pochettino announced he won’t be involved in the Premier League, stirring conversations about a possible return to Tottenham, where he managed from 2014 to 2019.

“I really miss the English football scene. I love this country, the culture, and the football culture,” he expressed in an interview with L’Equipe, marking his first discussion in France since parting ways with Paris Saint-Germain in 2022.

“It’s the right place for those who are competitive, wanting to push their limits. Here, you’re always required to give your all.”

It’s clear the U.S. team will need Pochettino’s best efforts while he’s on board.

The Argentine’s stay in the U.S. was always meant to be brief, a strategic arrangement aimed at maximizing his team’s potential this summer.

At 54, Pochettino has an impressive track record, having led Tottenham to four consecutive Champions League victories—including one final—before his 2019 exit. After that, he took charge at PSG and now enters the new Premier League season with Chelsea.

His experience made him a natural fit for the U.S. national team, especially with the upcoming co-hosted World Cup. Currently, the team is in Atlanta preparing for matches against Belgium on Saturday and Portugal on March 31.

The World Cup is scheduled for June, culminating in the final at MetLife Stadium on July 19. There’s buzz that Pochettino might head back to London by August.

Meanwhile, Tyler Adams, a key midfielder, is temporarily sidelined due to a quadriceps injury and is expected to miss two to three weeks before returning to play for Bournemouth.

In Adams’ absence, Cristian Roldan acknowledges that he and other midfielders must rise to the challenge. “Tyler is a big asset to our team—his energy, leadership, everything. Now, it’s time for us to fill that gap,” Roldan stated. “The midfield is very competitive. Players like Weston (McKennie) and Tanner (Tesman) are performing well, as are Seba (Berhalter) and Aiden (Morris), and Johnny (Cardoso) is with Atlético.”

“I’m focused on how to stand out and prepare myself for the World Cup. I want to be in the best form possible. And even if I don’t make the cut, I’ll be a great teammate. I expect the same from others… This is a fantastic chance for all of us to test our mettle against tough competition.”