The United States Soccer Federation has identified Mauricio Pochettino as a leading candidate for the vacant head coach position of the men’s national team and is currently in discussions with the Argentine coach’s representatives, according to reports from The Athletic’s Paul Tenorio.
U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker, who had a brief overlap with Pochettino during his tenure at Southampton while working in the club’s successful academy, has expressed that the federation is ready to offer a top-tier salary to attract an elite head coach for the men’s team. Pochettino has previously been among the highest-paid managers in world football during his time with Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.
In July, former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reportedly declined the opportunity to manage the USMNT.
Following the group-stage elimination from the Copa America, U.S. Soccer terminated Gregg Berhalter’s contract as head coach. Berhalter had notable successes, winning the CONCACAF Nations League in 2020 and 2023, and leading a second-string squad to victory in the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup. However, he ultimately fell short of U.S. Soccer’s elevated expectations as the country prepares to co-host the next men’s World Cup with Canada and Mexico.
“Our immediate focus is on finding a coach who can maximize our potential as we continue to prepare for the 2026 World Cup,” Crocker stated after Berhalter’s dismissal.
Pochettino holds a strong reputation in European football. The 52-year-old garnered acclaim for his tactical acumen at Espanyol, before achieving an impressive eighth-place finish with Southampton in the Premier League. During his five-and-a-half-year tenure at Tottenham Hotspur, he led the team to a second-place finish in the league and guided them to finals in both the Champions League and League Cup. Pochettino won his first silverware as a manager with Paris Saint-Germain, claiming Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, and the Trophee des Champions.
Chelsea parted ways with Pochettino in May after a single season in charge, which concluded with a sixth-place finish for the high-spending club.
