Mauricio Pochettino is set to become the next head coach of the U.S. men’s national soccer team, according to The Athletic.
This development marks a significant move for a U.S. fanbase eager for a high-profile manager following the dismissal of former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter after a disappointing group-stage exit in this summer’s Copa America.
Pochettino was a leading candidate for the role, though the federation was still considering several candidates at that time.
He was viewed as a strong contender, with U.S. Soccer engaged in discussions with his representatives.
Although Pochettino has never managed a national team, he boasts an impressive record at the club level.
He led Southampton to an eighth-place finish in the Premier League in 2013, achieved record league finishes with Tottenham Hotspur, including a Champions League final appearance in 2019, and won a Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain.
Most recently, Pochettino guided Chelsea to a sixth-place finish and European qualification before leaving at the end of the 2023-24 season.
U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker has a history with Pochettino, having worked with him during the coach’s time at Southampton when Crocker led the club’s academy.
Crocker left Southampton in November 2013 to join the Football Association.
Crocker has previously stated that U.S. Soccer is prepared to invest in the coaching hire without financial constraints.
“It’s a really competitive market out there, salary-wise, and we have to be competitive to get the level of coach that I believe can take the program forward in terms of achieving the results that we want on the field,” Crocker said.
“It’s a priority.
“It’s something we’re prepared to invest in and something that we will be investing in.”
Once finalized, Pochettino will be the most high-profile coach of the USMNT since Jürgen Klinsmann, a World Cup winner known for his success as a player and his roles with the German national team and Bayern Munich.
Pochettino’s reputation is built on his managerial skills, with a focus on positional play, pressing, and attacking strategies.
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