Pochettino Names Verratti His Greatest Player Ever
The U.S. men's national team manager singled out the former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder when asked about players he has coached.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Soccer
Mauricio Pochettino, current manager of the United States Men's National Team, named Marco Verratti the greatest player he has ever seen. Pochettino gave the answer in an interview with Goal, responding to one-word prompts about players he worked with.
Why it matters
Pochettino's comment reflects his high regard for a midfielder he coached at Paris Saint-Germain between 2021 and 2022. The remark arrives as Pochettino leads the U.S. national team and is linked to the Manchester United managerial job.
Verratti was 34 years old at the time of the interview and now plays for Al Duhail in Qatar. Paris Saint-Germain won each of the last two Champions League titles, though Verratti did not win one with the club.
The players
Mauricio Pochettino
Argentine coach who previously led Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Paris Saint-Germain and now manages the United States Men's National Team.
Marco Verratti
Italian midfielder who played for Paris Saint-Germain and now plays for Al Duhail in Qatar.
The details
Pochettino gave the answer in an interview with Goal after being asked one-word questions about players he had worked with during his career. He previously managed Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Paris Saint-Germain before taking charge of the United States national team.
Timeline
2021-2022: Pochettino manages Marco Verratti at Paris Saint-Germain.
Summer 2026: Manchester United manager job expected to become vacant.
November 10, 2026: Interview naming Verratti as Pochettino's greatest player is published.
Season Trajectory
Pochettino's comment comes as he manages the United States national team and is linked to the Manchester United job, situating his coaching career between international and club management. The praise also looks back at a Paris Saint-Germain era in which the club won the last two Champions League titles without Verratti among the trophy winners.
The comment offers a view of how a former coach evaluates one of his midfielders, which may shape how fans compare players across Paris Saint-Germain's recent era. It does not alter any contract, lineup, or competition schedule reported in the source.
The takeaway
Coaches' personal rankings of players often reflect the working relationships built during specific club periods rather than trophy totals alone. Readers comparing players across eras can weigh both on-field roles and team results when interpreting such praise.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in our Soccer section for context on managers and players in the sport.
