Miami, United States (AFP)— In a landmark move for U.S. Soccer, Argentine Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed as the new head coach of the United States national team, the national federation announced on Tuesday. Pochettino, well-known for his previous tenures at clubs like Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Espanyol, steps in to replace Gregg Berhalter, who was relieved of his duties in July following a disappointing Copa America campaign.
Pochettino’s hiring is notable not just because of his prestigious resume, but also because he is the most high-profile coach to ever take the reins of the U.S. national team, becoming the first foreign coach since German Juergen Klinsmann, who was dismissed in 2016.
Unemployed since his abrupt departure from Chelsea in May, Pochettino, 52, is tasked with leading the U.S. team through a pivotal stage in their development, culminating in the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Specific details regarding the length 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,” said Matt Crocker, US Soccer’s sporting director who led the coaching search. “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 is well-regarded for his commitment to nurturing young talent, a quality that is particularly prized by U.S. Soccer as it looks to build on a foundation of promising young players. During his stints at Southampton, Tottenham, and Espanyol, Pochettino demonstrated an exceptional ability to develop and maximize the potential of emerging stars. One of his most notable successes was at Tottenham, where he played a significant role in developing England captain Harry Kane and regularly secured top-four finishes in the Premier League. Additionally, he guided Spurs to the Champions League final in 2019.
In Paris, Pochettino managed some of the world’s best players, including Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe, further demonstrating his capability to handle elite talent.
“The decision to join US 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 US 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,” he added.
Pochettino inherits a youthful team that reached the round of 16 at the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022, where they were eventually ousted by the Netherlands in the knockout phase. Expectations are high, and with Pochettino at the helm, U.S. Soccer is hopeful that the team will reach new heights on the global stage.
