Mauricio Pochettino has always built his best work on human connections. It is how he sees football, how he sees the world, and how he approaches his role within it. It is also why, against widespread expectations that he would return to club management after the World Cup, the Argentine opted to sign a new four-year contract with the United States men's national team last month.

"The one thing that changed our mind: the people," Pochettino said. "The human beings in the federation. This type of people, I like to be with them."

There was surprise in September 2024 — four months after he left Chelsea — when Pochettino was announced as the new head coach of the U.S. side. Before then, all five of his managerial jobs had been in club football. He was recruited after a significant effort by U.S. Soccer to take the team into their home World Cup, and he gave his word that he would see it through.

"When we gave our word to the federation, it was about starting and finishing, after the World Cup," Pochettino explained. "For us, it was impossible to think about coming back, or going to another club. Because we received some calls from different clubs. But we cannot go away. First, because we didn't want to go. But in the moment I think it wasn't right for us to create all these situations and expectations."

Even before the tournament kicked off, the U.S. Soccer board had offered him a new deal as a sign of trust. Pochettino was moved by their respect for the fact that he kept his promise, even while attracting interest from clubs.

A World Cup that changed perceptions

Pochettino's team reached the last 16 of the World Cup, with thrilling wins over Paraguay, Australia and Bosnia and Herzegovina generating genuine public momentum behind the team. He believes his side helped change how Americans view the sport.

"I think, through our messaging for nearly two years, people started to buy that this is completely different," he said. "You can feel proud to be American, to show your flag, your country. It's a sport that is about being brave. We started to provide them the possibility to see that sport in a different way. They started to see in a different way, they started to buy the idea. Amazing."

The U.S. campaign ended in disappointment, however, with Belgium clearly the superior side in the last-16 clash. The build-up was dominated by the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun's overturned suspension. Pochettino refused to use it as an excuse.

"What I don't like is to put an excuse," he said. "Belgium was much better."

He acknowledged it was a "rare" and "unique" situation but pointed out that Cristiano Ronaldo received the same treatment from FIFA during this World Cup.

The new deal: unbreakable no more

While his first contract, leading up to the World Cup, was effectively unbreakable, Pochettino made clear that this new four-year deal is a different matter. There are circumstances under which either party could walk away before June 2030.

"Now it's a four-year contract, it's different," Pochettino said. "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."

Before looking too far ahead, Pochettino is preparing for the USMNT's four high-interest friendlies this international break, against Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada. There is also a Concacaf Gold Cup next year and potentially a Copa America the year after, building toward the 2030 World Cup.

The Tottenham bond that never fades

While Pochettino is fully committed to the U.S., he still clearly treasures his unique bond with Tottenham Hotspur fans. That relationship was tested during a turbulent period at Spurs, where the appointment of Thomas Frank did not work and the club was heading toward relegation last season. Pochettino's name was frequently sung by supporters, including during Frank's final game — a 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United in February.

Pochettino revealed he received a call about the Tottenham job earlier this year, but at a time when his full focus was on the World Cup. There was never any prospect of him walking out before the tournament.

"The problem was that the timings were never the best," he 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."

In the end, Spurs sacked Frank in February, failed in a pursuit of Roberto De Zerbi, appointed Igor Tudor, and then sacked him when De Zerbi became persuadable. The Italian was handed a five-year contract in March, closing the door on a Pochettino return even after the World Cup.

Pochettino joked about the club's scattergun approach: "In this moment they called everyone, they called all the coaches! Free and not free!"

But he left no doubt he would have been delighted to return had he been available. "If I was free, of course I come," he said. "But I wasn't free, I was preparing for the World Cup."

When asked whether he would have even taken the job in the Championship — a hypothetical that arose during Spurs' relegation fears — Pochettino was unequivocal: "Yes of course. It's the only club that always I am open to help. Whatever division. Another club, no. But Tottenham, yes."

Levy's dismissal and Spurs' new era

The Tottenham that Pochettino would return to is a very different club from the one he left in 2019. Chairman Daniel Levy, who ran everything during Pochettino's tenure, was dismissed a year ago. The two remain close, and Pochettino spoke with genuine empathy about Levy experiencing the same sudden termination he once did.

"Now he knows the feeling," Pochettino said. "The way that I felt in this moment, that we felt, you receive the letter, you are sacked, pick up your things and you can never come back. And the people, maybe 200, 300 people that were your family, you cannot say goodbye, you cannot send a text, you cannot do nothing. That was really, really tough for me. I was talking with him about that. Of course I am not happy that now he feels the same. Because I am not a person who has bad feelings. I am so sorry for him and for everyone."

The post-Levy era has seen Tottenham embark on their boldest transfer window, spending more on fees and wages than ever before — a stark contrast to the infamous 2018 summer window when Spurs signed nobody. Pochettino is pleased for the club and believes De Zerbi deserves the backing.

"I am happy if Tottenham now have the possibility to spend and to bring proven players, who have already played in the Premier League," he said. "It's good for the club. Because after the last two or three years, what the club is trying to find, is to improve, and not suffer. Now it's about performing. I am happy because I feel Tottenham. It's still my club and I want the best for them. And if that happens, it's good. I'd be so happy for the fans and for the people."

For now, though, Pochettino's focus is firmly on the United States. He describes international football as "more pure" than the club game, with players who are more motivated and less distracted. "The players are not toxic, they come because they want to enjoy, they don't have time to become upset or disappointed."

It is, in his own words, a chance to "make history, to change football there." And after a World Cup that reignited a nation's passion for the sport, Pochettino is determined to keep that fire burning.