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TL;DR
- Mauricio Pochettino, the former Tottenham, PSG, and Chelsea manager, has been appointed as the new head coach of the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT).
- Pochettino, known for his success in developing young talent and building competitive teams, will lead the USMNT into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- The 52-year-old Argentine expressed his enthusiasm for the role, citing the ‘energy, passion, and hunger to achieve something truly historic’ as his main inspirations for taking the job.
- Pochettino’s appointment has been met with excitement from U.S. Soccer officials.
Mauricio Pochettino, the former Tottenham and Chelsea manager, has been appointed as the new head coach of the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT). The 52-year-old Argentine will lead the team into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
This marks Pochettino’s first international coaching role after a distinguished 15-year career managing clubs such as Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and most recently, Chelsea. He left the London club by mutual consent at the end of the previous season.
Pochettino succeeds Gregg Berhalter, who was dismissed following the USMNT’s failure to progress from the group stage at this summer’s Copa America. The Argentine expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, stating, ‘The decision to join U.S. Soccer wasn’t just about football for me; it’s about the journey that this team and this country are on.’
He further added, ‘The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here – those are the things that inspired me. The opportunity to lead the U.S. Men’s National Team, in front of fans who are just as passionate as the players, is something I couldn’t pass up.’
Pochettino’s appointment is seen as a significant coup for U.S. Soccer, as he brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of developing young talent. His strong relationship with U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker, who worked with Pochettino at Southampton, is believed to have played a crucial role in his decision to take on the challenge.
The new head coach will have his first opportunity to assess the team in a home friendly against Panama in Austin, Texas, on October 12, followed by an away friendly against Mexico three days later.
With the United States set to co-host the 2026 World Cup, Pochettino’s primary objective will be to build a competitive squad capable of making a strong impression on home soil. He inherits a talented group of young players, many of whom are playing in top European leagues, and will be tasked with harnessing their potential to create a cohesive and successful team.
Pochettino’s appointment has been met with excitement and optimism among U.S. Soccer fans, who hope that his experience and leadership will help elevate the national team to new heights in the coming years.
Source: Sky Sports
