I will rather be a farmer - Former Chelsea coach REJECTS Barcelona in brutal dig

Mauricio Pochettino, the current US national team coach and former Chelsea manager, has once again stirred controversy with comments likely to ignite debate, especially among Barcelona fans.

The 53-year-old Argentine reiterated his long-standing stance that he would never take the helm of Espanyol's city rivals, having previously coached the Catalan club.

“They say Barça is more than a club. What does that even mean? That we should indoctrinate children with certain ideas? I think Barcelona is mistaken in that regard,” Pochettino began during his appearance on “El Cafelito” on Chiringuito TV.

“I believe Espanyol is a much more independent and much more Catalan club than Barcelona. And that phrase, that I’d rather go work on my farm in Argentina than coach Barcelona? It still holds true,” continued the former Tottenham and Chelsea manager.

He added: “I always try to explain it without offending anyone. Every football team has its own culture, and Barça is a great club, but I don’t share what they try to impose on me or sell to people. I completely identify with Espanyol. People always tell me: ‘We’ll see, if one day Barça offers you, we’ll see what you say.’ I can tell you, I would not coach Barcelona.”

Pochettino was appointed head coach of the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) in August 2024, taking on the significant responsibility of leading the team as a co-host of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.

His hiring was a major statement by U.S. Soccer, bringing in a highly respected coach with a reputation for developing young talent and implementing an aggressive, high-pressing style of play.

Pochettino's experience at the pinnacle of European football is seen as the perfect asset to prepare the American squad for the immense pressure and expectations of playing on home soil.

His managerial career began in 2009 at Espanyol, where he quickly made a name for himself by saving the club from relegation and establishing his tactical identity.

This success earned him a move to the Premier League with Southampton in 2013, where he built a dynamic and exciting team.

His most notable period came at Tottenham Hotspur from 2014 to 2019, as he transformed the club into a consistent top-four contender and led them to the UEFA Champions League Final in 2019.

After leaving Spurs, he had a successful stint with Paris Saint-Germain, winning the Ligue 1 title in 2022, before a brief tenure at Chelsea in 2023-2024.

With the USMNT, along with Mexico and Canada, already guaranteed a place in the World Cup as co-hosts, Pochettino’s focus is not on qualification but on player development and strategic cohesion.

His first months have been dedicated to evaluating a wide range of talent in training camps and friendly matches, aiming to build a unified squad with a clear tactical identity that can compete with the best in the world.

The team's performances in recent matches and their solid showing in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where they finished as runners-up, have provided valuable insights and demonstrated the initial progress under his leadership.

Looking ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Pochettino’s ultimate goal is to lead the USMNT to a historic run on home soil, surpassing their previous best finishes.