Mauricio Pochettino says he misses English football, as the United States head coach continues to be linked with a return to Tottenham.
Pochettino is currently preparing to guide the USMNT into a home World Cup, in what is his first international managerial role after jobs at leading European club teams.
The Argentine spent over five years in north London, during which time Spurs repeatedly fought for the Premier League title and reached the 2019 Champions League final.
It remains Spurs' most sustained run at the top of the English game, despite failing to win a trophy until last season’s Europa League success under Ange Postecoglou.
Pochettino went on to manage Paris Saint-Germain, a club where he had spent time as a player, and won his first silverware as a manager, before one season at Chelsea produced promising, if inconsistent, results.
For anyone who wants to measure themselves against others and test their limits, [England] is the ideal place
He has been widely linked with a return this summer to Spurs, who are currently in significant danger of being relegated from the Premier League with seven matches of the season to play.
While no recent approach from Spurs to Pochettino is understood to have been made, the Argentine confirmed there was contact in the summer of 2021, before Nuno Espírito Santo was appointed.
Asked by L’Equipe if Spurs had previously attempted to lure him back to north London, Pochettino confirmed that PSG had blocked his exit.
“Not just Tottenham,” Pochettino told the French publication. “Other very big clubs too.
“When that six-month season ended [in 2021], there was a bit of... Well, with this whole COVID situation, the situation at the club created instability. In every area.
“There was a period of change, uncomfortable situations, situations that... didn't give the impression that it was possible to work in a stable environment, like the one we have today.
“I enjoyed my experience at PSG. But I had other options, which I shared with the club, but they chose not to listen to any of them.”
It remains to be seen if Spurs will make a fresh move for Pochettino, whose commitments with the USA will carry into July, but the head coach has described the Premier League as the “ideal place” for him to work.
He continued: “I miss the football scene in England. I love the country, its culture, the football culture.
“For anyone with a competitive spirit who wants to measure themselves against others and test their limits, it's the ideal place. Here, you have to give your best constantly.”
