Mauricio Pochettino has been named head coach of the United States men's national soccer team.
The former Tottenham and Chelsea manager, who left Chelsea under mutual consent at the end of last season, will coach the United States at the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
This is the 52-year-old Pochettino's first international appearance. He has had a distinguished 15-year managerial career, having managed Espanyol, Southampton and Paris Saint-Germain.
Pochettino replaced Gregg Berhalter, who was sacked after the United States failed to progress beyond the group stage of this summer's Copa America.
“For me, the decision to join the U.S. national team wasn’t just about soccer,” Pochettino said. “It was also about the journey this team and this country have been on.”
“The energy, passion and thirst to accomplish something truly historic here is what inspires me. The opportunity to lead the U.S. Men's National Team in front of fans who are as passionate as the players themselves was something I couldn't pass up.
“I see a group of players with so much talent and potential. Together we can create something special that the whole country can be proud of.”
Pochettino's first game in charge of the U.S. national team is a home friendly against Panama in Austin, Texas, on Oct. 12, followed by an away friendly in Mexico three days later.
Analysis: Why Pochettino took over as manager of the United States
Sky Sports reporter, Paul Gilmour (@skysportspaulg)
Many raised eyebrows when Mauricio Pochettino decided to take up the USA job after playing for Tottenham, PSG and Chelsea, but he is incredibly excited about the opportunity. So what’s behind the decision?
One of the key factors is that the United States will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Mexico and Canada. He has always said he wanted to experience international management, and enjoyed it as a professional at the Qatar World Cup. This time, he will be at the center of the most prestigious tournament in world football as the manager of the host nation.
In the US, he immediately found love for American football thanks to working closely with sporting director Matt Crocker, who was the Argentine's director of football operations while at Southampton, and the pair get along well.
USA Soccer sports director Matt Crocker worked with Pochettino at Southampton.
Crocker, who is also the former head of development at the FA, oversees the entire sports department, including the women’s team. He has been described by US Soccer as a “great communicator” and “team builder.” Those qualities appealed to Pochettino, who likes to develop teams without fuss or drama. He liked the idea of positivity after recent negative experiences.
At PSG and Chelsea, Pochettino sometimes felt discouraged and depressed by the many obstacles that stood in his way, and it was far from the way he wanted to improve the team. In Paris, he often had to accommodate players who were not planned, which caused problems by breaking the team's balance. PSG have since adopted a different approach.
Pochettino's record at Chelsea
At Chelsea he was consistently frustrated with the number of individuals involved in decision-making processes and had to deal with members of the ownership group who had conflicting ideas about the future direction of the club.
With no worries about recruiting in international football, he is free to focus on coaching the team and making an impact in the summer of 2026. The sports facilities in the United States are of a high standard and they are determined to show the world that they can compete.
Pochettino left Chelsea by mutual consent at the end of last season.
As Chelsea ended the season with a positive result, Pochettino’s reputation grew and while the original plan may have been to wait until another job became available – Real Madrid and Manchester United had previously shown interest and his name could have been included in discussions if the job became vacant – the American offer forced an early decision just weeks after he left the West London club. In the end, it was a no-brainer and will be seen as a coup for them.
The US Soccer sports department has already won Olympic gold under the leadership of Emma Hayes, who reached out to Pochettino to give her insight into her early experiences working there. Hayes and Pochettino have always spoken fondly of each other, having spent a year together at Chelsea, and enjoyed a more light-hearted approach to soccer together at Soccer Aid.
US Soccer believes it has a plan to make significant progress in both the men's and women's games. With a large Hispanic population in the United States, Pochettino, who speaks English or Spanish, is rejuvenated and positive about the new challenge.
