Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed as the new head coach of the United States men’s national team, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced on Tuesday. The Argentine coach, who has previously managed Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea, signed a contract that will see him lead the team through the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Pochettino’s contract extends for two years, with Jeff Carlisle of ESPN reporting that he will officially be unveiled on Friday. His first match in charge is anticipated to be a friendly against Panama on October 12.
The 52-year-old reportedly accepted the USMNT role nearly a month ago. The delay in his official appointment was attributed to the need for Pochettino to finalize a severance agreement with Chelsea, where he served as head coach for one season before leaving in May.
Pochettino succeeds Gregg Berhalter, who was dismissed following the United States’ early exit from this year’s Copa America. U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker, who led the search for Berhalter’s replacement, stated, “Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep passion for player development and a proven ability to build cohesive and competitive teams. 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.”
Pochettino, known for his work with Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Harry Kane, expressed his enthusiasm for the role, saying, “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.”
According to Carlisle, Pochettino will earn $6 million annually, making him the highest-paid coach in USMNT history. He is also the first foreign coach to lead the team since Jurgen Klinsmann.
The U.S. Soccer Federation noted that Pochettino’s appointment was supported in part by a philanthropic contribution from Kenneth C. Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel and founder of Griffin Catalyst.
