Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed as the new Head Coach of USA Men’s National Team.
Pochettino’s move came just months after he departed Chelsea after just one season, in which the Blues finished sixth in the Premier League plus reached Carabao Cup Final – where they lost to Liverpool in the showpiece match.
The USA job marks a first step into international football management for Pochettino, who will hope to lead the Americans into their home tournament as USA host 2026 FIFA World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico.
“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,” commented Pochettino who spoke of the belief in wanting to achieve higher success than before.
“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.”
U.S. Soccer Sporting Director, Matt Crocker explained that Pochettino’s experience as “a serial winner” entwined with his “deep passion for player development” made him the right candidate to build a “cohesive and competitive” team for the World Cup.
“Mauricio is a world-class coach with a proven track record of developing players and achieving success at the highest levels,” said U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone, who praised the 52 year-old for his coaching style.
“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.”
Pochettino’s first match as USA Men’s Head Coach will take place in Austin, Texas, in a home friendly against Panama on Saturday 12 October at 9pm ET (3am UK Time, Sunday 13 October).
Leave a Reply