U.S. Soccer has reeled in one of the biggest free agent head coaches on the market.
Mauricio Pochettino has become the next USMNT head coach, U.S. Soccer announced Tuesday prior to the USMNT’s home friendly vs. New Zealand. The 52-year-old had been linked with the head coaching vacancy since July and now has officially put pen to paper.
“Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep passion for player development and a proven ability to build cohesive and competitive teams,” said U.S. Sporting Director Matt Crocker. “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.”
“The decision to join U.S. 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 U.S. 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.”
Pochettino left English Premier League side Chelsea by mutual consent last May despite helping the Blues qualify for European competition this season. He registered a 26-11-14 record as Blues manager, leading them to the EFL Cup Final last winter.
A long-time international player, Pochettino is well known for his time as Tottenham manager from May 2014-November 2019. He led Spurs to a UEFA Champions League Final (loss to Liverpool) before eventually moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.
All three of his trophies won as a manager came at PSG before joining Chelsea ahead of the 2023-24 Premier League campaign. Pochettino has also served as manager of Spanish club Espanyol and English side Southampton.
U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker and Pochettino did overlap at Southampton while Crocker led the club’s academy. Pochettino led the Saints to an eighth-place league finish in 2013.
Pochettino’s first slate of matches will come during the October window when the USMNT hosts Panama and visits Mexico.
Hopefully Poch can get this team hitting on all cylinders in 2 years.
Need more directness and less playing the ball trying to pass the opposing defense to death. Team has never been able to score goals that way. It’s usually off of quick transition turnovers.
Congrats, coach. Your challenge is to get out of the group and win at least one more game.
Here’s what you get to work with: two wing backs (if Dest fully recovers) who can stretch the field, and some pretty good midfielders and wingers, and if Adams gets healthy, a very good d-mid.
Here’s what you don’t have that some of your predecessors did: a Premier League-quality ‘keeper, reliable centerbacks, and a Premier League level forward who can put the ball in the net.
Good luck.
yes, also missing a Premier League level keeper too
Heck yes, cant wait to see how this upgrade looks vs Berhalther Ball!
If the players don’t get their heads on right it won’t really matter who the coach is. But yes I too am excited to see what he can do.
@Downintexas Facts💯👍🏿
Part of his challenge will be to hold players accountable.
We’re not going to see a drastic change over of players in the October window, nor are we magically going to dominate possession and win games in blowout fashion.
What I hope to see is players who play poorly get pulled from the starting XI and/or minutes get reduced. Players who play well are given increased minutes and/or get promoted to the starting XI.
We saw this same group of players play well and consistently after the WC when GGG wasn’t the coach. As soon as he was renamed as manager they all slowly regressed.
Hopefully Poch will light a fire under their a$$’s, simplify the tactics, and put players in structure to succeed. Then build off what works and swap out players that don’t live up to expectations/ability.
If the players don’t get their heads on straight it really won’t matter who the coach is. But yes I am excited to see what he can do.
Sorry if this is a double post.
I want to see the interviews that UNIVISION do with Pochettino..