Huge news dropped in American soccer as the USMNT hired Maurico Pochettino to be there next head coach. This report comes out just a month after they fired Gregg Berhalter after a shocking first-round exit in the 2024 Copa America Tournament. The US National Team let Berhalter go, and immediately started the search for their next coach, as the 2026 World Cup will be here before we know it. Pochettino takes over the USMNT with quite the managerial resume, so let’s take a trip down memory lane.
Mauricio Pochettino Managing Career
Mauricio Pochettino takes over for the USMNT
The Argentinian began his managerial career for La Liga’s Espanyol in 2009, just a few seasons after retiring with the club. Pochettino spent most of his playing career with Espanyol, from 1994-2001 and again from 2004-2006. He took over mid-season for the club and helped them avoid relegation in the back half of the season. From there he took them as high as 8th in the league over the next three years.
Next he spent just one full season managing Southhampton for his first Premier League job, becoming the 2nd Argentinian manager in the EPL. It was a very successful season as he lead them to an 8th place finish in 2014, their highest since 2003, and the club’s most points since the EPL began in 1993. After that lone season, Pochettino moved on to a 5 year stint with Tottenham Hotspur.
Tottenham finished in the Top 4 of the league in 4/5 seasons with Pochettino, including making the club’s first ever Champions League Final, falling to Liverpool. It’s clear that the USMNT got a good one. After a year hiatus following his time with Tottenham, Pochettino was swooped up by Paris Saint-Germain mid-season, leading them to a Champions League Semifinal. Pochettino was responsible for adding Lionel Messi to the lineup, and despite winning the Ligue 1 trophy, the superteam did not fair well in the UCL.
Pochettino was sacked by PSG and picked up Chelsea for last season, where he led them to a 6th place finish before mutually parting ways. Now he takes over the USMNT that hosts the FIFA World Cup in less than two years.
Will Pochettino Prepare USMNT on Short Notice?
Pulisic and Pochettino take over the USMNT before the World Cup
From what I’m reading, Pochettino’s style of play should fit well with the USMNT. He likes to play high-pressing, aggressive soccer and usually builds from the back after winning possession. Pochettino’s exit from Chelsea had to do with differing opinions with the front office, including adding veteran leadership to the roster.
In my eyes, Pochettino has plenty of veterans on this USMNT to help guide the youngbloods in Christian Pulisic, Tim Ream, and Weston McKennie. Adding Tyler Adams into the mix, those guys have enough experience to help guys like Gio Reyna and Timothy Weah step up and do their jobs. Ultimately, I like this fit for the United States.
However, it will all be up to how Pochettino is embraced by the players. It was extremely clear towards the end that Gregg Berhalter had lost control of the lockerroom, and players were not buying into his schemes and tactics. Assuming Pulisic and other veterans get the entire team to buy into Pochettino’s schemes, I think this team could be very successful and surprise some people at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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