Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to become manager of the United States men’s national team after leaving Chelsea earlier this summer.
The former Tottenham and PSG boss left Stamford Bridge by mutual consent after guiding the club to sixth and now joins his former Blues colleague Emma Hayes across the pond.
This is a significant hire for the United States, who are preparing to take advantage of a strong young crop of playing talent and their upcoming role as co-host of the 2026 World Cup after sacking Gregg Berhalter.
Pochettino will become the most esteemed manager the USMNT have ever had, easily outstripping Jurgen Klinsmann for coaching success if not footballing repute.
The US recently failed to progress from their group at Copa America 2024, being beaten by Panama and Uruguay after beating Bolivia in their opening match.
Despite increased investment and domestic interest, alongside the continued growth of MLS, the men’s side have only made it past the last 16 of a World Cup once since 1930 – in 2002.
Yet with a group of players which includes former Chelsea winger Christian Pulisic, Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie and Fulham’s Antonee Robinson, they believe the expanded format and home advantage of 2026 can help change their fortunes.
Pochettino will reunite with former Southampton director of football operations Matt Crocker, who overlapped with the Argentine on the south coast in 2013 and is now technical director of the USMNT.
Crocker had said recently the hiring process would not have any hiring restrictions, focussing solely on choosing the right candidate.
He said: “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.
“It’s a priority. It’s something we’re prepared to invest in and something that we will be investing in.”
The 2026 World Cup will be hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico and is the first tournament to feature 48 teams, with the competitive implications of that format currently unclear.
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