Watch: Mauricio Pochettino Named New Head Coach of USA National Team

Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed as the new head coach of the United States national soccer team, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced on Tuesday. Pochettino, an Argentine who has previously managed top clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Espanyol, takes over from Gregg Berhalter, who was dismissed in July following a disappointing Copa America campaign.

Pochettino, 52, is the most high-profile foreign coach to lead the U.S. team since Juergen Klinsmann, the German coach who was dismissed in 2016. After leaving Chelsea abruptly in May following just one season, Pochettino has been without a coaching position. While U.S. Soccer did not disclose the details of his contract, Pochettino is expected to guide the team through the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host with Mexico and Canada.

“Mauricio is a proven winner with a strong commitment to player development and the ability to build competitive, unified teams,” said Matt Crocker, U.S. Soccer’s sporting director who oversaw the coaching search. “His track record speaks volumes, and I’m confident he’s the right choice to harness the potential of our talented squad.”

Known for fostering young talent, Pochettino has a history of developing players during his managerial stints at Southampton, Tottenham, and Espanyol. He was instrumental in shaping the career of England captain Harry Kane at Tottenham, where he also led the team to regular top-four finishes and a Champions League final in 2019.

Passion for Development
Having coached global stars like Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe at Paris Saint-Germain, Pochettino expressed his excitement about leading the U.S. team. “The decision to join U.S. Soccer wasn’t just about football; it’s about the journey this team and country are on,” Pochettino said. “The energy, passion, and hunger to achieve something historic here were what inspired me. I see a talented and ambitious group of players, and together we will build something special for the entire nation.”

Pochettino inherits a youthful U.S. team that reached the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they were eliminated by the Netherlands. However, the team’s development suffered a setback during the 2023 Copa America, where they failed to progress beyond the group stage, winning just one match while losing to Panama and Uruguay. Berhalter was criticized heavily for the team’s performance and was subsequently replaced.

J.T. Batson, U.S. Soccer’s CEO, emphasized his belief that Pochettino was the right coach to unlock the team’s potential, particularly with standout players like AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic. “His deep understanding of the game, commitment to developing talent, and relentless pursuit of excellence are exactly what we need as we gear up for the 2026 World Cup,” Batson stated.

The financial arrangements to secure Pochettino’s appointment involved negotiations with his former club, Chelsea, and received significant backing from business leaders. U.S. Soccer revealed that the deal was supported by a major philanthropic donation from Kenneth C. Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel, along with contributions from Scott Goodwin, co-founder of Diameter, and several corporate partners.

This is the second major appointment made by sporting director Matt Crocker, who previously worked with Pochettino at Southampton. Crocker also recently appointed former Chelsea coach Emma Hayes to lead the U.S. women’s national team, following her successful stint guiding the team to Olympic gold at the Paris Games.