“Of course, Emma Hayes. And then Tata Martino,” said Mauricio Pochettino, revealing the only two names he contacted before becoming the USMNT manager. Hayes was a natural choice due to her past involvement with Chelsea, while he connected with Martino as they shared a locker room during their playing days at Newell’s Old Boys. While having a word with these remarkable managers did play a major role in convincing Pochettino to live the American dream, you might wanna consider the ‘full bloom and development’ MLS move of Lionel Messi also influenced his decision.

The opportunity of coaching a host nation of the World Cup surely doesn’t come to anyone easily, but it did in Pochettino’s case, and boy did he take it in an instant. But are there other factors in his case that made him cross the Atlantic? “Well, I think a little bit of everything,” said the former PSG coach during an exclusive chat with CNN Deportes host Elizabeth Perez. “I also think that the circumstances were right, the timing.“

The 52-year-old underlined the presence of Matt Crocker, the USSF sporting director, with whom he worked during his Southampton days. But beyond the different circumstances for his coaching staff or to work with remarkable talents, here comes the decisive factor: “I think that also a country with what we are already seeing, with the MLS, with the arrival of Leo Messi, which is in full bloom and development. We were captivated by everything.”

Yet, Pochettino played it safe and rather asserted that there wasn’t anything in particular that made him come to the States. Rather, it’s the mix of all the things that made him and his coaching staff “accept this challenge, thinking that it is a place that took us out of our comfort zone” as well as it “logically, generates new emotions, different emotions from the one we are already used to live.”

Another challenge that the former Paris Saint-Germain boss highlighted is to uncover untapped aspects that will help them evolve as a group with everyone who is part of their journey. “A different path and a different way of life and a different way of competing that we are going to discover together,” concluded Pochettino.

Keeping aside the fancy talk, it was nice to hear how his former PSG disciple’s move to Inter Miami also compelled him to take the risk. But the former Tottenham coach isn’t following Messi’s domestic voyage as the USMNT manager keeps tabs on La Pulga’s on-pitch international business!

Mauricio Pochettino wants USMNT to learn from Lionel Messi and Argentina

As an Argentinian himself, Mauricio Pochettino is quite fond of Lionel Messi and Co.’s collective effort. Hence, in order to instill similar qualities in Team USA, the 52-year-old has encouraged his players to be highly demanding and relentless whenever they lose possession, demonstrating that they are a ‘real team.’ The former Tottenham manager illustrated this point by referencing Lionel Scaloni’s squad, saying, “All the teams that won titles; you can see Argentina—winning the Copa America or the World Cup. When they have the ball, they play really well but when they don’t, they work like a team. They are really rough in their principles.”

But again, stressing over losing out on possession is the last thing that Poch wants as he urged his side to enjoy as well. “It’s not only to play nice football; to be very competitive—that for me, is the objective.” Indeed, influential Lionel Messi does it again!