Mauricio Pochettino Vows To Achieve Something Historic, After Being Named As The New HEAD COACH Of U.S. Men's National Team Ahead Of The 2026 FIFA World Cup.

• Former Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed head coach of United States Men's national team (USMNT) by the country's soccer federation.

• The Argentine returns to work after departing West London club Chelsea in May 2024 by mutual agreement.

• Pochettino is the second former Chelsea boss to join the United States set-up this summer following the appointment of Emma Hayes as manager of the women’s team.  

• In two-years time the USA alongside Canada and Mexico, will host the biggest-ever World Cup expanded to 48-team format.

Mauricio Pochettino's has been heavily linked with the position since his departure from Stamford Bridge, and his appointment was officially confirmed on Tuesday night before the USMNT’s 1-1 draw with New Zealand in a friendly. 

He succeeds Gregg Berhalter, who was sacked in the wake of a group-stage exit at the Copa America in the summer, which they hosted.  

As part of the transition process, Pochettino will replace interim head coach Mikey Varas who took charge of the matches against Canada which they lost 2-1 last Saturday their first games since the summer’s Copa America disappointment and of course the draw against New Zealand. 

Varas has been a USMNT opponent scout during the 2022 FIFA World Cup and assistant since 2023, he was originally hired as the U-20 MNT head coach in November 2021 and coached the U-20 MNT to the top of their group at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina.

 

Known for building teams with dynamic styles of play, Pochettino is now set to bring his extensive experience and tactical acumen to lead the team when they host the FIFA men's World Cup in 2026.

His dedication on youth development aligns well with U.S. Soccer's long-term strategy to build a strong pipeline of talent for the national team.

Pochettino will take charge of his first games next month during the October international break in friendlies against Panama and Mexico.

Prior to his new found job, the 52-year-old who is a seasoned and highly respected manager, has had successful stints with several top European clubs, including Espanyol in LaLiga before moving to the Premier League where he made a significant impact with Southampton and later Tottenham Hotspur. 

At Spurs, he guided the team to their first UEFA Champions League Final in 2019 and consistently achieved top-four finishes in the Premier League.

After his successful tenure in England, Pochettino took the reins at PSG, where he won the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France and the Trophée des Champions, while also leading the team to the semifinals of the Champions League.

He returned to England to manager Chelsea, but left his role at Stamford Bridge after just one tumultuous season in charge, in which he led the Blues to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League.

A message from Mauricio 🇺🇸

🗣️ ENG ➡️ 🗣️ ESP

— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) September 10, 2024 

 WHAT THEY SAID:

U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker led a global search process and made the final decision to appoint Pochettino as head coach.

"Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep passion for player development and a proven ability to build cohesive and competitive teams,” said Crocker. 

“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. We are thrilled to have Mauricio on board as we embark on this exciting journey to achieve success on the global stage."

U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone added; "Mauricio is a world-class coach with a proven track record of developing players and achieving success at the highest levels.

 "His passion for the game, his innovative approach to coaching, and his ability to inspire and connect with players make him the perfect fit for this role. We are excited to have him leading our Men's National Team."

"Hiring Mauricio is a step forward in our mission to compete at the highest level and make a lasting mark on the global soccer landscape,” said U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson.

“His deep knowledge of the game, his commitment to developing talent, and his relentless drive for excellence are exactly what we need as we prepare for the 2026 World Cup. Mauricio understands the unique potential of this team and this country, and he shares our belief that U.S. Soccer is on the cusp of something truly special."

“This announcement is part of a historic era for U.S. Soccer, first hiring Emma Hayes to lead our Women’s National Team, and winning Olympic gold,” Batson continued. “We are building a program that not only wins on the global stage but inspires the next generation of American soccer players and fans, and we’re thrilled to have Mauricio play a key role in that journey."

Born in Murphy, Argentina, Pochettino had a distinguished playing career as a central defender, earning 20 caps for the Argentina National Team. He played for clubs such as Newell's Old Boys, Espanyol, PSG, and Bordeaux.

Pochettino holds a UEFA Pro License and is fluent in Spanish, French, and English. He will work closely with U.S. Soccer staff to ensure a smooth transition and to lay the groundwork for success in the upcoming competitions. 

Pochettino vows to build something special, and that he wants to "achieve something truly historic" in his first international job.

"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," Pochettino said. "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. I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we’re going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of."

The USMNT reached the last 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but haven’t been beyond the quarter-finals since the inaugural tournament in 1930, when they finished third.