Janice R. Andrews
According to reports, Mauricio Pochettino will be appointed as the new head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) by U.S. Soccer, making a big splash. The 52-year-old Argentine would go on to become the most decorated coach in USMNT history, having enjoyed successful periods at elite European teams like Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). This audacious move is being made as the squad gets ready for the 2026 World Cup, which Mexico, Canada, and the United States will co-host.
Pochettino’s Successful Career
Pochettino has a really excellent coaching background. His relentless, high-pressing style rapidly gained him recognition at Southampton in the Premier League, where he originally established his reputation. His 2014 transfer to Tottenham Hotspur was prompted by his success at Southampton. Pochettino guided Spurs to a historic Champions League final in 2019 and turned the team into a reliable top-four challenger in the Premier League during the course of his five seasons there.
Early in 2021, Pochettino takes over at PSG following his spell at Tottenham. That being said, he had difficulties during his stay in Paris. The all-star squad, which included Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, and Neymar, found it difficult to adjust to Pochettino’s demanding style of play. Pochettino’s career with PSG ended after just 18 months, despite winning the Ligue 1 title, when the team parted company with him in 2022.
Pochettino most recently served as Chelsea’s manager in the 2023–2024 campaign. Despite a difficult beginning to his Chelsea career, he was able to stabilize the group and lead Chelsea to a decent season finale. However, Pochettino left the team earlier this summer when the administration of the club made the decision to take a new course.
How USMNT Fits in
The possibility of Pochettino joining U.S. Soccer is considered a huge coup. The physical demands and high-pressing style of his tactical approach perfectly complement the athleticism and energy of the current USMNT group. Under Pochettino’s direction, the team’s youthful nucleus, which includes studs like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Gio Reyna, might succeed.
But there are obstacles in the way. Unlike club football, where Pochettino has more time to build tactical concepts, he has never coached a national side. Coaches of national teams usually have fewer practices and games to impart their ideology, thus Pochettino may need to make a big shift.
Furthermore, Pochettino’s past performance indicates that his teams frequently need time to properly adjust to his ways. It took the whole season at Tottenham for his strategy to start producing steady results. Pochettino will only have a short window of time to shape the USMNT into a formidable competitor since the 2026 World Cup is less than two years away.
The Investment of Money
Pochettino’s appointment would also represent a large financial commitment from U.S. Soccer. The base wage of former USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter was around $1.6 million per year. Pochettino, on the other hand, is said to have made over $10 million annually while he was at Chelsea and PSG. In order to retain Pochettino, U.S. Soccer would probably have to make a hefty pay offer, making him the highest-paid USMNT coach in team history.
What Does Pochettino and the USMNT Have in Store?
Although Pochettino’s employment has not yet been formally announced or confirmed by U.S. Soccer, a number of stories indicate that the agreement is almost certainly done. When Pochettino would formally take over the team and when his contract would be signed are yet unknown. But American soccer supporters and commentators are already quite excited about his possible appointment.
If the agreement goes through, September 7th in Kansas City might be Pochettino’s first game as manager—a friendly versus Canada. An early look at Pochettino’s ideas to reshape the team in advance of the World Cup would come from this encounter.
Final Thoughts
U.S. Soccer’s appointment of Mauricio Pochettino would be a daring and audacious move as the country prepares for the 2026 World Cup. The youthful talent in the USMNT along with Pochettino’s experience winning at the top levels of European football might propel the squad to new heights. But this high-profile hiring comes with a certain amount of danger because of the difficulties in making the switch from club to international management and the short time frame before the World Cup. All eyes will be on Pochettino and the USMNT’s future as U.S. Soccer gets ready to seal the deal.
