Reports: Mauricio Pochettino agrees to become USMNT head coach
- Pochettino set to succeed Gregg Berhalter as United States boss
- Argentine the most high-profile candidate linked to role
- Previous experience includes managing Chelsea, Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain
Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to take over as the head coach of the United States men's national team, according to multiple reports.
The 52-year-old is currently unemployed after a year-long stint in charge of Chelsea, who he mutually parted ways with at the end of a turbulent 2023/24 season at Stamford Bridge.
Pochettino had emerged as the top target to replace Gregg Berhalter in the aftermath of his firing following a dismal group-stage exit at the summer Copa America, while former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and former Premier League winner Patrick Vieira were both also linked with the role.
U.S Soccer now appear to have secured Pochettino, per reports from The Athletic, with sporting director Matt Crocker, who crossed paths with the Argentine during their time at Southampton, previously disclosing that there was a willingness to invest in a top tier coach.
"It’s a really competitive market out there, salary-wise, and we have to be competitive to get the level of coach that I believe can take the program forward in terms of achieving the results that we want on the field," Crocker proclaimed.
"It’s a priority. It’s something we’re prepared to invest in and something that we will be investing in."
If Pochettino puts pen to paper, he'll take over a USMNT brimming with young talent ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup – a competition that will be jointly hosted in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Pochettino began his managerial career with Espanyol, spending three years in Spain before heading to the Premier League to take over at Southampton. After 16 months in charge, he was appointed as Tottenham Hotspur's new head coach, tasked with pushing the club towards regular Champions League qualification.
He oversaw three consecutive Premier League top three finishes – Spurs finished as runners-up to Chelsea in the 2016-17 season - and the club famously reached the Champions League final in 2019. Pochettino was also seen as a key figure in the development of Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Dele Alli and many other players.
Pochettino then managed Paris Saint-Germain to the Ligue 1 title in 2022, before heading back to the Premier League to take over at Spurs' bitter rivals Chelsea. After a slow start, the club eventually found their groove towards the back end of the 2023/24 season, securing a place in the Europa League and a runners-up finish success in the Carabao Cup.
It wasn't enough to persuade Pochettino to stay though, with his tenure at Chelsea dogged by off-field problems and a struggle to assert control behind the scenes.
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