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Jeff Carlisle, US soccer correspondent
Mauricio Pochettino is the new manager of the United States men’s national team, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced Tuesday.
Pochettino, 52, signed a two-year contract that will take him through the 2026 World Cup, which the US hosts with Canada and Mexico. He replaces Gregg Berhalter, who was fired after the USMNT’s poor showing at this summer’s Copa América.
Pochettino will be introduced in New York.
“Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep passion for player development and a proven ability to build cohesive and competitive teams,” USSF athletic director Matt Crocker said in a statement. “His track record speaks for itself, and I am confident that he is the right choice to harness the great potential of our talented squad. .”
ESPN reported last month that the former Argentina international had agreed to take the job after lengthy discussions with Crocker. Crocker, who previously worked with Pochettino at Premier League side Southampton, is charged with recruiting a world-class coach to ensure the USMNT enter the 2026 World Cup as a competitive nation, capable of reaching the final stages of the competition.
Pochettino certainly brings a coaching pedigree unmatched in USMNT history. The Argentine has coached at some of the world’s biggest clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. In that time, he has coached some of the game’s top players, including Lionel Messi, Neymar and Harry Kane. In addition to Southampton, he has managed the Spanish team Espanyol, where he also spent a lot of time as a player.
“The decision to join US Soccer is not only about soccer for me, but about the journey of this team and this country,” Pochettino said in a statement. “The energy, the passion and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here — those are the things that inspire 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 can’t pass up.
“I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we will build something special that the whole nation can be proud of.”
Sources told ESPN that Pochettino will be paid a salary of $6 million per year. Despite his salary cut from his previous job with Chelsea, he will be the highest paid coach in USMNT history.
Berhalter earned $2,291,136 in 2022, including a $900,000 bonus when the Americans qualified for the World Cup and reached the second round, according to USSF’s 2022 tax filing.
In the announcement, USSF noted Pochettino’s appointment was significantly supported by a philanthropic leadership gift from Kenneth C. Griffin, founder and chief executive of Citadel and founder of Griffin Catalyst. Additional support has been provided by Scott Goodwin, co-founder and managing partner of Diameter, and several commercial partners.
Message from Mauricio 🇺🇸
🗣️ ENG ➡️ 🗣️ ESP
– US National Soccer Team (@USMNT) September 10, 2024
The announcement ends a courtship that has been going on for the past few weeks. The issue is how much compensation Chelsea will pay Pochettino and his staff. The fact discussions with Chelsea took place so close to the summer transfer window in Europe caused the delay.
Attempts to recruit Jürgen Klopp following his exit from Liverpool in the summer failed, and at one stage Hoffenheim manager Pellegrino Matarazzo was considered the main candidate. But the federation has finally focused on Pochettino, and his willingness to take on the role is a major coup.
Pochettino is expected to bring in long-time assistant coach Jesús Pérez, Miguel d’Agostino and goalkeeper coach Toni Jiménez. He will take charge of the USMNT for the first time on October 12 in a friendly against Panama in Austin, Texas, followed by a meeting with Mexico in Guadalajara three days later.
“Hiring Mauricio is a step forward in our mission to compete at the highest level and make a lasting mark on the global soccer landscape,” said USA Soccer CEO JT Batson. “His deep knowledge of the game, commitment to developing talent, and relentless drive for excellence are exactly what we need as we prepare for the 2026 World Cup.
“Mauricio understands the unique potential of this team and this country, and he shares our belief that US Soccer is at a truly special peak.”
Pochettino took over a team that was clearly at a low ebb. The USMNT is thought to be on an upward trajectory after a respectable round of 16 appearance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The U.S. began claiming the next two Concacaf Nations League crowns.
But Copa América 2024 was always considered a tougher test, and the USA failed, failing to make it out of a group that included Bolivia, Panama and Uruguay. The USA also suffered a heavy 5-1 loss to Colombia in a pre-tournament friendly.
The USMNT’s form hasn’t improved since then, with the USA losing 2-1 to Canada on Saturday in Kansas City, Kansas, with the team led in an interim capacity by former assistant coach Mikey Varas. In the match, the US was clearly second best in all phases, and was outshot in the first half 11-1. The USA drew 1-1 with New Zealand in Cincinnati in the second friendly of the international break on Tuesday.
Pochettino will have a talented group of players at his disposal, a squad that includes AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic, Juventus duo Weston McKennie and Tim Weah, as well as Monaco striker Folarin Balogun. Pochettino will not have much time to work on his players as there are only eight windows left before the 2026 World Cup, including next summer’s 2025 Gold Cup.
Originally from Murphy, Argentina, Pochettino made 20 international appearances with two goals, and was part of the Argentina team that participated in the 2002 World Cup. At club level, he began his professional career with Argentine team Newell’s Old Boys, before moving to Espanyol, Paris- Saint-Germain and Bordeaux, making more than 500 appearances.
