Mauricio Pochettino Premier League Return: “Of Course I Miss It” – The Argentine Mastermind Eyes Emotional Homecoming
Mauricio Pochettino has managed in three countries, lifted trophies in France, and now leads the United States into a home World Cup. Yet one sentence from his latest BBC Sport interview stopped English football in its tracks:
“The Premier League is the best league in the world. Of course I am missing it… one day I want to come back.”
At 52, the man who turned Southampton into entertainers, took Tottenham within touching distance of immortality, and rebuilt Chelsea’s spine, has just confirmed what every Premier League fan suspected: Pochettino’s Premier League return is not a question of if, but when.
Key Points
- Pochettino openly declares he misses the Premier League and plans to return after the 2026 World Cup.
- 11 wins in 20 games with USMNT (55% win rate) – strongest start by any USA coach in 15 years.
- Still zero major trophies in England despite 2nd place (2016-17), League Cup final (2015), and Champions League final (2019).
- Remains in regular contact with Daniel Levy, who stepped down as Tottenham chairman in September 2025 after 24 years.
- Insists the “culture of football is universal” – refuses to treat American players differently.
Why the Premier League Still Owns Pochettino’s Heart
No manager has left a bigger imprint on modern English football without winning silverware. From 2013 to 2023, Pochettino managed 479 Premier League games – only Arsène Wenger, Alex Ferguson, and David Moyes have more.
His Southampton side blooded Luke Shaw, Callum Chambers, and James Ward-Prowse while playing football that made St Mary’s must-watch TV. At Tottenham he built the most exciting young squad in Europe: Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen – all elevated to world-class under his pressing system.
The numbers still dazzle:
- 2016-17: 86 points (2nd – club record until 2024-25)
- 2018-19: Champions League final (first in Spurs history)
- Zero transfer fees spent on first-team players 2014-2018 yet consistent top-four finishes
That near-miss legacy burns brightest. “We were so close at Tottenham – we nearly touched it,” he told BBC Sport this week. “That is the thing I want to achieve.”
Life in America: Success, Frustration, and a Different Rhythm
Since September 2024, Pochettino has transformed the USMNT. Eleven victories in 20 matches include a first-ever win in Mexico (Azteca) and back-to-back CONCACAF Nations League semi-finals. Only England (under Tuchel) and Argentina have beaten them in the past 14 months.
Yet international management grates against his club-DNA instincts. “You coach for five days, play two games, then wait three months,” he explains. “You feel empty. In the Premier League you live football every single day.”
Cultural clashes have made headlines too:
- Away fans drowning out American support in Los Angeles and Cincinnati
- Directive from U.S. Soccer to say “soccer” not “football” in public
- Reports of heated dressing-room exchanges after the 2-0 loss to Canada in March 2025
Pochettino’s response? Typical steel. “There is only one culture – the culture of football. It doesn’t matter if you are American, Brazilian or English. The language of winning is universal.”
The Levy Bond: Respect That Outlasted the Sack
Daniel Levy’s shock resignation in September 2025 ended a 24-year reign that delivered the 2008 League Cup, 2025 Europa League, and the £1.2 bn Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Pochettino’s reaction spoke volumes: “I was very surprised. His legacy is amazing. My relationship with him was always good – during my time and after I left. He gave me the chance to manage one of the best clubs in the world.”
That mutual respect has fuelled speculation. Could Pochettino walk back into the same building in 2026, this time with the experience – and transfer budget – to finally lift the trophy that eluded them both?
Which Premier League Job Fits the Homecoming?
The rumour mill never sleeps:
| Club | Why It Fits Pochettino | Current Situation (Nov 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | Global project, needs identity | Ten Hag under pressure |
| Chelsea | Unfinished business, young squad | Maresca flying (2nd place) |
| Tottenham | Emotional return, Levy connection | Postecoglou 3rd, Europa League winners 2025 |
| Newcastle | Ambition + Saudi backing | Howe secure but contract talks ongoing |
| Aston Villa | Champions League football | Emery committed until 2027 |
The 2026 Timeline: World Cup First, Premier League Next
Pochettino’s USMNT contract runs until the end of the 2026 World Cup. The tournament ends 19 July 2026. Premier League pre-season begins three weeks later.
History favours a swift return:
- Thomas Tuchel: left PSG May 2024 → Chelsea September 2024
- Unai Emery: left Villarreal July 2023 → Aston Villa October 2023
- Ange Postecoglou: left Celtic June 2023 → Tottenham same week
The Verdict: Pochettino’s Premier League Return Is Inevitable
Everything points to 2026-27 being the season English football welcomes back its most charismatic nearly-man. He has the experience of 700+ games, the hunger of unfinished business, and the proven ability to build title-challenging teams on limited budgets.
When he does return, expect queues for season tickets, skyrocketing shirt sales, and a manager finally ready to turn “nearly” into “never again.”
For now, America has him. But the Premier League never let him go.
