This week, Pochettino gave an exclusive interview to Sky Sports, and in the first part of the interview (which we have divided into three parts due to its length), he reflected on his experience participating in the World Cup this summer.
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This summer has been very busy for you, hasn't it? Now that you're sitting here, what are your thoughts on the World Cup?
Oh, it was a wonderful experience, incredibly rewarding for our coaching team. We learned a lot about coaching in major international competitions. Being able to stand on the world's most important stage has, I believe, made us all better coaches. My takeaway is that planning everything perfectly and making every decision correctly is extremely difficult.
Every decision affects the overall outcome; details are crucial. You have to think about how to convey tactical concepts, how to manage the players' physical condition, and every aspect must be perfect. Therefore, those who win the World Cup deserve the highest praise; it is the most arduous and challenging competition in the world.
This experience must have been quite exciting for you, but it was also full of surprises. During the World Cup, there must have been moments when you were standing on the sidelines thinking: I thought I was the head coach of the football team, how could this happen? For example, receiving a call from Trump in the locker room before going on the field before the game is not a common occurrence, right?
No, but I want to say that Trump has always been very supportive of us. He is a very good person, we communicate frequently, and I can feel the support from him and the government he represents. I am the head coach of the US men's national soccer team.
What was the craziest moment for you during the World Cup? You probably met a lot of people, received many event invitations, and watched a lot of matches. Was there ever a moment that made you wonder, "Wow, is this real? Am I really here?"
If I could only choose one moment, it would be after our first match, when the fans were incredibly excited and the players were filled with pride. We felt the connection with the fans, and the song "Take Me Home, Country Roads" played in the stadium.
When you stand in the center of the court, filled with pride after a resounding victory, the bond with the fans, the overwhelming enthusiasm, the feeling of everyone coming together in a country as vast as the United States is indescribable.
Do you think you will become a fashion icon at this World Cup?
It wasn't me, but that outfit made me feel safe and confident.
Do you know who copied your outfit? Who bought the same clothes?
who?
Rooney
Ah yes, that's right, I saw it, he looked great in it, really, he looked like a top coach.
Let's start by asking a few questions that everyone is concerned about. The outside world has been discussing the controversy surrounding Balogun's ban. Whether you like it or not, this matter has occupied a lot of public attention. Do you understand why so many people are so angry about it?
I understand, because many things were conflated in this matter, and people were unwilling to understand the truth. The US Soccer Federation management found a way to appeal and applied to have the ban lifted. Ultimately, the FIFA committee ruled that the ban could be lifted, and the player was allowed to play.
If you were the head coach of the opposing team, how would you view this situation?
If you keep getting caught up in the noise from the outside world, you'll get frustrated and feel that it's unfair. But if you're willing to listen to me, there's no point in getting angry about it. Football is a team sport.
Whether this player plays or not, the outcome belongs to the whole team. The day before the match, we received a letter from FIFA confirming that he was available to play. I decided to send him on because he is our main striker. At the time, I didn't think too much about it.
