When Mauricio Pochettino took the U.S. men's national team coaching job in the fall of 2024, there was nothing that was going to keep him from staying through the 2026 World Cup.
But now, after signing an extension through the 2030 World Cup, things are different.
Somewhat surprisingly, the Argentine signed a new four-year deal with U.S. Soccer after leading the USMNT to the round of 16 at a World Cup on home soil. Pochettino was widely expected to return to the club game after his two-year contract expired but instead, he is now looking a potential six-year tenure.
But Pochettino has admitted there are circumstances that could see him depart before the next World Cup. It could be the federation deciding to sack him, or perhaps a club could arrive
with an offer too good to refuse.
"Now it’s a four-year contract, it’s different," Pochettino told reporters this week. "We can next season lose the Copa America, or the Gold Cup, and they’re not happy with us, they can sack us.
"Or we can say 'OK, it’s not the way that we think.' Four years is different. Maybe now if someone calls in the future, it’s a different type (of situation). We are excited, we are thinking to spend four years, to the next World Cup. But now it’s a long period.”
Prior to the World Cup, Pochettino admitted that his representatives met with AC Milan to discuss the Italian club's coaching vacancy. He has also spoken openly multiple times about his desire to return to the club game, particularly the Premier League.
"I watch (the Premier League) a lot," Pochettino said in a December interview with the BBC. "The Premier League is the best in the world. Of course, I miss it.
"I am so happy in the USA, but I am always thinking about returning one day. It is the most competitive league, and of course, I would love to come back again."
Pochettino says 'timing' prevented Tottenham return
Pochettino said that there is one club in particular that he would do anything to help – even if it was in the second tier.
After leading Tottenham to a hugely successful period between 2014 and 2019, Pochettino said he would even coach the north London club if it was relegated to the Championship.
"Yes of course," he said. "It’s the only club that always I am open to help. Whatever division. Another club, no. But Tottenham, yes."
An unthinkable relegation nearly happened last season, with Spurs clinching Premier League survival on the final day of the season. Thomas Frank started last season as Tottenham coach, but he was sacked in February. Igor Tudor was brought in as a caretaker but results were so poor that he only lasted 44 days.
After Tudor was fired, Tottenham reached out to Pochettino, among other coaches, to gauge his interest.
"If I was free, of course I come," Pochettino said. "But I wasn’t free, I was preparing for the World Cup."
Tottenham went on to hire Roberto De Zerbi on a long-term deal, with the Italian keeping Spurs in the Premier League. Pochettino makes no secret of his affinity for his former club, saying that only timing has prevented him from a return.
"The problem was that the timings were never the best," Pochettino said. "When I was free, I never received a contact. And then when I was working, I received a contact, but I cannot make the decision to come back.
"It was a little bit unlucky. Maybe one day the stars will align, and it can happen. But the problem was that when we wanted and we were free, we didn’t receive the approach. When we were working, we received the approach."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USMNT coach Pochettino admits he could leave before 2030 World Cup
