Mauricio Pochettino opens door to stunning Premier League return after World Cup

Mauricio Pochettino has given his clearest indication yet that he is ready for another shot at the Premier League.

The ex-Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea boss’ love affair with England's top flight appears as deep-rooted as it comes.

Pochettino, who had no prior connections to the Premier League prior to his arrival at St Mary’s in 2013, quickly immersed himself into its grandeur.

And he got his rewards too.

In his first full season on the south coast, he led the Saints to an eighth-placed finish – the club’s highest for 11 years.

It got even better at Tottenham, leading them to second place behind champions Leicester in the 2016 title race before guiding them to the Champions League final three years later.

His time at Chelsea was brief but he was able to steer the Blues to European qualification before a mutual agreement saw him depart the club shortly afterwards.

While Pochettino has certainly made his mark on English football amid a rollercoaster of experiences, the now United States men’s national team head coach stopped short of ruling out a return to the Premier League.

A Premier League return in the future?

“Maybe it’s possible, yes,” the Argentine told talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs when asked about a possible return.

“My challenge for the future is the World Cup and being now focused on the USA national team, maybe I come back one day to the Premier League.”

Pochettino built a close relationship with Tottenham chiefs and the club’s supporters during his five years at the club.

But just five months after leading the north London club to the Champions League final in Madrid in 2019, Pochettino was sacked and replaced by Jose Mourinho, with the club sat 14th in the table.

“We were so close with Tottenham to winning the Premier League and the Champions League.” Pochettino said.

“We wanted to win the Premier League and the Champions League because Tottenham is a club that deserves these types of titles, these types of trophies.

“And yes, why not one day come back to the Premier League.

“For me, the Premier League is the best league in the world, the most competitive. I don't see this as an unfinished show, but I think why not to have the possibility again to challenge and to be involved in the Premier League and to challenge for the big things?”

While his efforts at Tottenham remain hugely appreciated, his time at Chelsea brought about different challenges.

The Blues were in the early stages of Todd Boehly’s takeover and with huge squad upheaval spearheaded by the blockbuster signings of midfield duo Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez, Pochettino always felt like the wrong fit for an impatient project.

Changing times

Asked whether the state of the Chelsea project is different from his experience, Pochettino said: “Yes, I think Chelsea is in a different project than it was in the past and I wish all the best. I spent a very good time there.

“I keep a very good relationship with the people, with players there. We split, but I think the relationship there is good.

“I wish all the best and, and of course, a lot of young young players with amazing talent for sure. Sometimes there’s ups and downs, but I think they achieved very good things last season.

“They are involved in the Champions League and of course in the Premier League close to the top four.

“I think for sure they are going to be a team that is going to challenge for big things.”

Mutual Chelsea exit

Pochettino says his situation at Stamford Bridge and that of current boss Enzo Maresca are completely different.

Chelsea handed Maresca a five-year contract in the hope of building a young squad to compete for major honours while Pochettino was tasked with returning the club to its glory days in just two years with a review of his position held after 12 months.

“No, I think it was different,” Pochettino said

“We both decided to split. I think my first season was about to stop a little bit.

“The way that Chelsea was going down, it was difficult to stop this negative dynamic, if you remember.

“I don't know, it was six months, eight months with one win at Stamford Bridge.

"The plan was to build with new players with players that had no experience in the Premier League.

"And then players that need to adapt like Caicedo or Enzo that were very young with too much responsibility from the first season. I think after they got experience they started to show their quality.

“They are performing very well now.”

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