MLS told huge change it must make to recruitment of overseas stars as American coaches are sent warning by former Chelsea & Tottenham midfielder

Poyet believes that is a discussion that needs to take place in North America, with that region preparing to throw open its doors for the 2026 World Cup - which will be co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. FIFA’s flagship event returning to that region proves how far the game has come since a historic tournament on American soil in 1994.

Several superstars have passed through MLS since then, including Manchester United and England legend David Beckham, ex-Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, World Cup-winning Arsenal icon Thierry Henry and enigmatic Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. In the present, Lionel Messi continues to strut his stuff at Inter Miami.

Eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi has helped to bring more eyes to the American game, with those in Florida hoping to see him commit to a new contract that will prevent said bubble from bursting any time soon. He is currently competing against the likes of Bayern Munich stalwart Thomas Muller and ex-Tottenham talisman Son Heung-min.

There is the promise of more on-field talent to come, with Poyet - as a former Tottenham midfielder - being asked about whether Harry Kane could head to MLS at some point as he continues to talk up a potential future in NFL. In response, the Uruguayan - who is now coaching in South Korea - told GOAL while speaking in association with William Hill: “Certain players are going that way, Sonny has gone as well. Players are choosing that end of their career pattern. Some people will go to Saudi Arabia, money or go for a different kind of family life. I think he [Kane] still has something to give in Europe. I don’t have a feeling of saying no chance or yes.

“America, especially for players, is getting there. I think they now need to start taking coaches, with all respect to American coaches. If they are taking those players, then they need to start bringing over coaches as well to make it the same. At the moment it is that kind of approach, players first.”

Ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who would fit the elite coaching mould, is among those to have talked up the progress being made in MLS on and off the pitch. He recently told ESPN in his role as Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull: “I’m 100% sure, in five years’ time, we will speak completely differently. I’m really sure it will grow and grow and grow. The kids coming up, starting playing soccer earlier, training, getting better. Obviously, the place where you can play and train getting better. Everywhere.

“I can tell you, the quality is really, really good. Good players, a lot of talent, high intensity. All these things you want to see when you watch it in a stadium or on television. I think MLS found its spot, and now let’s work with it.”

It remains to be seen if a Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti or Jose Mourinho could be lured to MLS in the future, or whether the likes of Sergio Busquets - who has announced his retirement at Inter Miami and stated a desire to get into coaching - could look to cut his managerial teeth in the United States.

The domestic game in America will, however, continue to pride itself on home-grown development - in playing and coaching capacities - with it as important to build from within as it is to attract the kind of names that will help to enhance the MLS brand and keep sponsorship money ticking over.