Alex MacQuoid
Mauricio Pochettino’s Journey: From Farm to Football
Mauricio Pochettino, the renowned football manager, recently sat down with Kelly Somers for an in-depth interview. Pochettino, who first came to the Premier League as Southampton manager in 2013, has since managed Tottenham, Paris St-Germain, and Chelsea. Now, he is preparing to coach at the World Cup for the first time, as manager of 2026 co-hosts United States.
Early Life and Football Beginnings
Pochettino’s love for football began on his grandad’s farm, where he played with his brother and dad. He started his career in his hometown of Murphy and later moved to Newell’s Young Boys, where he grew his career in the academy and first team.
At the age of 13 or 14, Pochettino realized that football could be more than just a hobby. It could be a way to build his career and earn a living. This realization came when Newell’s Old Boys signed him.
Transition to Management
Pochettino’s desire to become a manager started to grow when he was 27 or 28. He moved from Espanyol to Paris St-Germain and began to notice how coaches dealt with situations. He started to challenge his coaches and understand why they made certain decisions.
Memorable Matches
When asked about a match he would like to relive, Pochettino chose the Champions League semi-final with Ajax as Tottenham manager in 2019. He described it as one of the best moments in his career and life. He also mentioned the final in Madrid, which Spurs lost 2-0 to Liverpool, and expressed his desire to play that game again.
Growing Up on a Farm
Pochettino described his childhood as very happy. He grew up on a farm until he was six years old, with his parents, brothers, dogs, and horses. He learned to respect life and people, and he believes that growing up in a natural environment can teach a lot.
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World Cup Expectations
Pochettino is excited about the upcoming World Cup in the USA. He believes it will be amazing and invites people to visit America and share the excitement. He is motivated to build a competitive team and win in their own country.
Misses the Premier League
Pochettino admitted that he misses the Premier League and would love to return one day. He described it as the best league in the world and expressed his desire to win the Premier League and the Champions League.
Surprising Fact
Pochettino revealed that he is a very good chef, particularly at barbecues. He used to prepare barbecues for his players at Tottenham every 10 days or two weeks.
Legacy of Daniel Levy
Pochettino was surprised by the news of Daniel Levy leaving Tottenham. He praised Levy’s legacy and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to manage Tottenham. He hopes to share a coffee with Levy one day.
Future Goals
Pochettino’s ultimate goal is to win the Premier League and the Champions League. He also wants to make his family proud, including his sons, wife, dog, horses, mum and dad, and his eight-month-old granddaughter.