USA coach Pochettino opens up on coaching Messi, Neymar and Mbappé in PSG

Mauricio Pochettino is relishing his role as head coach of the United States men’s national team, where he says he is constantly growing and learning – something he has always sought in every club he has managed.

In a wide-ranging interview with Josep Pedrerol, Pochettino looked back on his time in charge of Paris Saint-Germain, when he had a squad packed with stars including Lionel Messi, Ángel Di María, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé.

He said that period shaped him into the coach he is today, stressing that managing Messi, Mbappé and Neymar forced him to make swift, decisive choices in the best interests of the team.

“What I learned at PSG was to understand what the obligations of players of that caliber are. For example, Mbappé is someone you have to put in the right position to hurt opponents. If you ask him to wear himself out defending or pressing, then you’re taking him away from what he does best – scoring goals,” he said.

Pochettino: “I would return to a team with Messi, Mbappé and Neymar”

The USMNT coach said he would not hesitate to manage the trio again, convinced that both he and the players would now be better prepared.

“I would go back to a team with Messi, Mbappé and Neymar. With the experience I have now, I would definitely have been able to give them more, and I’m sure they too, knowing me better, would have made us a much stronger team,” he explained.

On Messi’s struggles in Paris

Pochettino was also candid about the difficulties Messi faced during his time in France.

“In Leo’s case, it was a very hostile environment in France. He arrived without a preseason, after a big emotional blow, and it wasn’t easy. At least for me, it was painful to see, because the atmosphere wasn’t favorable to him – it was very aggressive. But I did enjoy having him,” he concluded.