Mauricio Pochettino has made clear his desire to return to the Premier League once his current commitment with the United States men's national team comes to an end — but insists his immediate focus remains on the job at hand.

Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports News, the Argentine revealed that, despite signing a new four-year deal with the USA last month, his long-term ambitions remain firmly rooted in English football.

"My dream now is to be in the USA for four years, but after that, why not?" he said. "Coming back is always my goal — to win the Premier League, to be in the Premier League and to build a project with the possibility of winning."

World Cup lessons

Pochettino guided the United States through to the last 16 of the FIFA World Cup 2026, where the host nation's campaign ended against Belgium. Rather than dwelling on the exit, he chose to reflect on what the experience taught him and his coaching staff, including his long-time assistant Jesus Perez.

"We are much better coaches now," he said, stressing that the tournament reinforced his appetite to keep evolving. "Everything needs to be perfect," he added, pointing to the challenge of preparing a squad of players who spend far less time together than any club side.

The tournament was not without controversy. The saga surrounding Folarin Balogun's temporary suspension — and its subsequent lifting — threatened to overshadow the Belgium tie. Pochettino acknowledged the anger the situation generated but said his own approach was straightforward: "If you pay attention to the noise, you become crazy." When confirmation arrived the day before the match that Balogun was cleared to play, he described the decision to include him as simple.

Balogun, Spurs, and Chelsea

Balogun has since made headlines for different reasons — a proposed transfer from Monaco to Everton collapsed on Deadline Day. Pochettino said he had not yet spoken to the forward, deliberately giving him space after what he described as a difficult situation. He added that he would have welcomed seeing Balogun playing in the Premier League.

On the subject of his former club Tottenham Hotspur, Pochettino was asked whether a return to north London was ever seriously discussed. "People talk and maybe we received some approach, but it never was close," he said. He has spoken previously about wanting to return to Spurs one day, and maintained that door remains open in principle — just not in this window.

He was equally measured on Tottenham's current strategy of signing Premier League-ready players after two difficult seasons. "I always wish the best for Tottenham because it's in my heart," he said, though he added: "You never know — we need time to see if that works or not."

Turning to Chelsea, where he managed two years ago, Pochettino noted the club's shift under Xabi Alonso toward proven, top-flight talent. He sees parallels with Tottenham's approach and believes buying players of that calibre means "you can expect to fight, to be a contender for the Premier League." He urged patience with Alonso after Chelsea's defeat to Arsenal early in the season: "We need to give time to Xabi's first season after three games in the Premier League."

Arsenal in pole position

Asked about the Premier League title race, Pochettino was unequivocal in his assessment of Arsenal and their manager.

"Mikel [Arteta] is the best coach in the Premier League today," he said. "Knowing what he needs to do, it's going to be tough to beat them."

As for Pochettino himself, the ambition clearly has not dimmed. If he sees out his contract with the USA through to 2030, he will have been away from club football for six years — but he is not ready to write off a final chapter in England just yet.

"I love the football here," he said. "To have the chance again is one of my wishes, and I hope that happens."