August 25, (THEWILL) – Mauricio Pochettino is set to join the United States men’s national team (USMNT) in September. While his official appointment as head coach is pending, Pochettino is expected to be present for the friendly match against Canada on September 7 in Kansas City.
The delay in finalising Pochettino’s position is reportedly due to ongoing negotiations regarding his severance package from Chelsea. In the interim, Mikey Vargas, former coach of the U.S. Under-20 team, has been named temporary manager of the USMNT.
Pochettino, who Chelsea last employed until May 2024, brings extensive managerial experience from top European clubs. His career includes stints with Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Southampton. Notable achievements include guiding Tottenham to a second-place finish in the English Premier League and reaching the UEFA Champions League final.
The United States Soccer Federation’s decision to bring in Pochettino follows the dismissal of previous head coach Gregg Berhalter in July. This change came after the USMNT’s disappointing performance in the 2024 Copa America, where they failed to progress beyond the group stage.
The Argentine manager’s potential appointment signals a new direction for U.S. soccer. With his track record of developing young talent and competing at the highest levels of European football, Pochettino’s arrival is anticipated to bring fresh perspectives to the American national team setup.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
