U.S. Soccer has reeled in one of the biggest free agent head coaches on the market.
Mauricio Pochettino has become the next USMNT head coach, U.S. Soccer announced Tuesday prior to the USMNT’s home friendly vs. New Zealand. The 52-year-old had been linked with the head coaching vacancy since July and now has officially put pen to paper.
“Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep passion for player development and a proven ability to build cohesive and competitive teams,” said U.S. Sporting Director Matt Crocker. “His track record speaks for itself, and I am confident that he is the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad. We are thrilled to have Mauricio on board as we embark on this exciting journey to achieve success on the global stage.”
“The decision to join U.S. Soccer wasn’t just about football for me; it’s about the journey that this team and this country are on,” Pochettino said. “The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here — those are the things that inspired me. The opportunity to lead the U.S. Men’s National Team, in front of fans who are just as passionate as the players, is something I couldn’t pass up. I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we’re going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of.”
Pochettino left English Premier League side Chelsea by mutual consent last May despite helping the Blues qualify for European competition this season. He registered a 26-11-14 record as Blues manager, leading them to the EFL Cup Final last winter.
A long-time international player, Pochettino is well known for his time as Tottenham manager from May 2014-November 2019. He led Spurs to a UEFA Champions League Final (loss to Liverpool) before eventually moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.
All three of his trophies won as a manager came at PSG before joining Chelsea ahead of the 2023-24 Premier League campaign. Pochettino has also served as manager of Spanish club Espanyol and English side Southampton.
U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker and Pochettino did overlap at Southampton while Crocker led the club’s academy. Pochettino led the Saints to an eighth-place league finish in 2013.
Pochettino’s first slate of matches will come during the October window when the USMNT hosts Panama and visits Mexico.
