September 11, (THEWILL) – Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed as the new head coach of the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT). The 52-year-old Argentine replaces Gregg Berhalter, who was dismissed following the team’s early exit from the Copa America in 2024. Pochettino, formerly of Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, will lead the USMNT through the 2026 World Cup, which the United States will co-host with Canada and Mexico.
The appointment marks Pochettino’s first foray into international management. His tenure is set to begin with a friendly against Panama on October 12 in Austin, Texas. US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker praised Pochettino’s track record and ability to build competitive teams, expressing confidence in his selection.
Pochettino’s most recent role was at Chelsea, where he guided the club to a sixth-place English Premier League finish and European qualification before departing by mutual consent in May. His managerial career includes successful spells at Espanyol, Southampton, Spurs, and PSG, where he won multiple trophies.
The USMNT is looking to rebound after a disappointing performance in recent tournaments. Under Berhalter, the team won two CONCACAF Nations League finals and one Gold Cup but failed to progress beyond the group stage in the 2024 Copa America. Pochettino’s appointment is seen as a significant step in US Soccer’s mission to compete at the highest level globally.
US Soccer CEO JT Batson highlighted the appointment as part of a “historic era” for the organisation, which includes the hiring of Emma Hayes to lead the Women’s National Team and the team’s recent Olympic gold medal victory. Pochettino’s first challenge will be to improve the team’s performance following a 2-1 defeat to Canada in a friendly match on Saturday.
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.
