USMNT coach leaves door open for coming back after World Cup as rumors of Premier League return swirl

MARIETTA, Ga. — USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino said Monday that he’s had no direct talks with either Tottenham Hotspur or Real Madrid, having been linked to both jobs for next season, with his contract for coaching the national team up after the World Cup.

Not only that, but Pochettino said he is open to staying in his current role, citing the new training ground U.S. Soccer is set to open in Fayetteville, Ga., as well as the growth potential for soccer stateside.

“I think you can never say never. In football, everything can happen,” Pochettino said when asked about staying beyond August. “I am very happy here and of course, it’s tough, but it’s a massive challenge. It’s a bigger challenge than we really believed or thought [when starting] here. 

Mauricio Pochettino after facing Australia in the second half of an international friendly soccer match, Oct. 14, 2025, in Commerce City, Colo. AP

“… The potential here is massive and with the legacy of the World Cup, the way that soccer here is growing, you’re seeing all our youth teams, how they are growing, how they are competing, I think the future here is very exciting. I’m open. But now is not the time to talk.”

Pochettino has regularly — and as recently as last week in an interview with French publication L’Equipe — sounded like someone who wants to return to the English Premier League. He had a highly successful stint managing Tottenham from 2014-19.

“I miss the world of football in England,” Pochettino told L’Equipe. “I love the country, its culture, its football culture.”

Spurs are one of the biggest clubs in England, but were reportedly close to hiring their third manager of the season, Roberto De Zerbi, on Monday, and sit 17th in the Premier League. Should Tottenham be relegated to the Championship, it would mark their first time outside of England’s first division since 1978.

“I think at the moment, I am committed with the national team here,” Pochettino said. “I think it’s not a point to talk about the future at the moment, that’s not our approach. … We don’t have a contract for the future, but why not, if we are happy and the federation is happy.”

Coach of the United States Mauricio Pochettino FIFA via Getty Images

The Argentine did, however, field a question asking him whether Spurs can stay up, and called coaching there “one of the best experiences of my life.”

“I am sure they are going to stay up,” he said. “… Of course we are going to be here, full focus on the World Cup, but if you ask me about that club, it’s a club I really care [about].”

Chris Richards said he is available to play against Portugal after missing the Belgium game with a knee issue.

Johnny Cardoso went back to Madrid on Monday night after being limited to 45 minutes against Belgium with discomfort in his leg. He was already set to miss Atletico Madrid’s match against Barcelona on Saturday due to a yellow card ban.

Pochettino said there were no discussions about bringing in an extra player mid-camp due to the injuries.