According to various sources, former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is set to take over as manager of the United States Men’s National Team.
This comes after the former coach, Gregg Berhalter, was fired following a poor group-stage exit from this summer’s Copa América.
Football journalist Fabrizio Romano stated via X on Thursday, “Mauricio Pochettino becomes the new USMNT manager, leading the U.S. to World Cup 2026. After contacts with several managers, the former Chelsea and Spurs head coach says yes to the proposal and project, as per reports in the US overnight.”
The Athletic has corroborated this information, stating that Pochettino “has agreed to become the next head coach of the U.S. men’s national soccer team.”
This appointment marks a milestone for U.S. Soccer, as they secure a high-profile manager with an impressive track record at the club level.
Pochettino’s résumé includes guiding Southampton to an eighth-place finish in the Premier League, achieving record league finishes with Tottenham Hotspur, including a Champions League final appearance in 2019, and securing a Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain.
Most recently, he led Chelsea to a sixth-place finish and European qualification in the 2023-24 season.
While Pochettino has never managed a national team, his appointment aligns with U.S. Soccer’s ambitions.
According to The Athletic, U.S. Soccer’s sporting director,
Matt Crocker, previously emphasised the federation’s commitment to securing top talent, stating, “It’s a priority. It’s something we’re prepared to invest in and something that we will be investing in.”
Interestingly, Crocker and Pochettino have a prior connection, having overlapped during the coach’s tenure at Southampton when Crocker led the club’s academy.
Pochettino’s tactical approach is known for emphasising positional play, dominating space, and implementing an aggressive pressing style.
This appointment marks a new chapter for the USMNT as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup, which the United States will co-host with Canada and Mexico.
