Former Tottenham and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino was appointed on Tuesday to succeed Gregg Berhalter as the head coach of the U.S. men’s national team, just 21 months before the Americans host the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup.
The 52-year-old Argentine, best known for his stints at top European clubs, becomes the tenth U.S. coach in the last 14 years and the first foreign-born leader since Jurgen Klinsmann, who managed the team from 2011 to 2016. Pochettino brings a wealth of experience, having managed Espanyol in Spain, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea in England, and Paris Saint-Germain in France. Notably, he left PSG after securing a Ligue 1 title.
“It’s about the journey that this team and this country are on,” Pochettino expressed in a statement released by the USSF. “The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here — those are the things that inspired me.”
The initial meeting between Pochettino, USSF CEO JT Batson, and sporting director Matt Crocker took place in Barcelona and lasted for five hours, sparking negotiations that had been ongoing since mid-August. Crocker, who had been Southampton’s academy director when Pochettino first joined the club, played a significant role in the talks.
While the specific duration of Pochettino’s contract has not been disclosed, it has been confirmed that he will lead the team throughout the World Cup. Crocker, in a statement, praised the new hire: “Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep passion for player development and a proven ability to build cohesive and competitive teams. I am confident that he is the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad.”
Pochettino was scheduled to arrive in the U.S. on Wednesday, just two days prior to a news conference in New York. His first assignments include friendly matches against Panama on October 12 in Austin, Texas, and against Mexico three days later. He will then lead the team into their first competitive matches in a two-leg CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal in November.
Former U.S. goalkeeper and current ESPN analyst Kasey Keller commented on the new appointment. “The one thing that I found a little funny was the statement that we were going to get a guy that basically wins everything,” Keller said. “It’s not like Pochettino has Jose Mourinho’s track record, but he’s obviously had a good level of success, particularly at places like Southampton and Tottenham.” Keller added, “He knows how to work within a group that might have particular limitations. We have to admit that we’re still not France, Brazil, Germany, Argentina.”
The expectation surrounding Pochettino’s arrival is high, with USSF management and the fan base believing that the player pool has the potential to exceed its current No. 16 world ranking. Berhalter, who was dismissed on July 10 following the Americans’ elimination in the first round of the Copa America, returns to the organization in September after a series of interim arrangements saw the team under the guidance of assistant coach Mikey Varas for two friendlies.
The U.S. team’s seeding as a co-host in the expanded 48-team World Cup format potentially paves an easier path through the group stages. However, challenges remain, particularly in developing a solid goalkeeper and central defense unit and improving on-field discipline.
“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,” Pochettino declared.
Pochettino’s journey from player to manager is commendable. A central defender, he played for Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina and for Espanyol, PSG, and Bordeaux in Europe, making 20 appearances for the Argentine national team. Notably, he played at the 1999 Copa América and the 2002 World Cup, where his foul on Michael Owen allowed David Beckham to score the decisive penalty in a 1-0 defeat.
After retiring as a player, Pochettino quickly transitioned into coaching, starting with Espanyol’s youth teams before taking over the first team in 2009. Despite avoiding relegation initially, he was dismissed in November 2012 with the team in last place, only to be picked up by Southampton two months later.
In May 2014, Pochettino moved to Tottenham Hotspur, leading the club to the 2019 Champions League final and a 2015 League Cup final. Despite being fired in November 2019 with the team in 14th place, his tenure at Spurs is widely regarded as successful. PSG brought Pochettino on board in January 2021, where he enjoyed mixed results but did win the French Cup and Ligue 1 title. Chelsea then hired him in June 2023, but after a challenging season, he departed the club.
Pochettino’s rich experience and history of building competitive teams are now focused on leading the U.S. men’s national team to new heights as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup on home soil.
