
Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to become the new head coach of the United States Men's National Team (USMNT). This move effectively rules him out of the running for the vacant England manager position following Gareth Southgate's departure.
Pochettino, who has been out of work since leaving Chelsea at the end of the last season, will now lead the US team into the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. The Argentine manager's appointment comes after Gregg Berhalter was dismissed following a disappointing Copa America campaign.
The decision to hire Pochettino is seen as a bold move by U.S. Soccer, aiming to bring in a manager with a proven track record at top European clubs. Pochettino has previously managed Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and most recently, Chelsea. His tenure at PSG was particularly successful, where he won the Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France and Trophee des Champions.
U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker emphasized the importance of finding a coach who fits their profile. "I just want to get the best coach possible," Crocker stated. "And whether they’re from the U.S. or elsewhere, they’ve got to fit the profile, which is a serial winning coach, somebody that can continue to develop this potential group of players."
Pochettino's appointment is expected to bring a wealth of experience and tactical acumen to the USMNT. Despite his impressive resume, there are inherent risks involved, given that this will be his first national team appointment. However, the potential rewards are significant, especially with the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon.
Reflecting on his time at Chelsea, Pochettino expressed his gratitude towards the players and staff. “I am so pleased with the level the team reached and the way the players and staff have all worked so hard to increase their standards, they deserve great credit,” he wrote in a social media statement. “We know there have been ups and downs, but we always believed in this team and that we would arrive at a consistent level.”
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