Pochettino, a former manager of Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain, is the first foreign head coach of the U.S.team since German Juergen Klinsmann, who led the team from 2011 to 2016. Pochettino will guide the team through the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. will host alongside Mexico and Canada. Details of his contract have not been disclosed.
“Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep passion for player development and a proven ability to build cohesive and competitive teams,” Matt Crocker, U.S. Soccer’s sporting director, was quoted as saying by AFP. “His track record speaks for itself, and I am confident that he is the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad.”
Pochettino has a strong history of developing young players and led Tottenham to the Champions League final in 2019. He has also worked with star players like Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe at PSG. He expressed his enthusiasm for the new role, saying, “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.”
The U.S. national team, featuring players like AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic, reached the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but did not advance beyond the group stage in this year’s Copa America. Pochettino aims to build a strong team for the 2026 World Cup, which will be played on home soil.
The search for Pochettino’s appointment took several months and involved securing financial backing from donors such as Kenneth C. Griffin of Citadel and Scott Goodwin, Co-Founder of Diameter, along with commercial partners.
Pochettino’s hiring follows the appointment of former Chelsea coach Emma Hayes to lead the U.S. women’s national team. Hayes recently led the U.S. women to Olympic gold at the Paris Games.
With Pochettino in charge, U.S. Soccer aims for a successful run at the 2026 World Cup, leveraging the growing talent and interest in soccer in the country.
