We have a coach. Tonight, U.S. Soccer announced that Mauricio Pochettino will be the new head coach of the United States Men’s National Team. The announcement came on the TNT pre-game show before the USMNT hosted New Zealand.
The 52-year-old Argentine takes over after over a month of speculation that he would be the man to succeed Gregg Berhalter as the head coach. He had previous coaching stints with Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris St-Germain, and Chelsea FC. He now is tasked with preparing the USMNT for the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and to ensure the team has a great performance at that tournament.
“Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep passion for player development and a proven ability to build cohesive and competitive teams,” U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker said in a statement. “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.”
Pochettino’s hire is being supported financially by Citadel founder and CEO Kenneth Griffin as well as co-founder of Diameter Scott Goodwin. Other commercial parters have contributed to the financials that brought in the new head coach.
Pochettino says he is ready for the journey of coaching one of the 2026 World Cup co-hosts. “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 in a statement. “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.”
A message from Mauricio
️ ENG ➡️ ️ ESP
— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) September 10, 2024
“Mauricio is a world-class coach with a proven track record of developing players and achieving success at the highest levels,” said U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone. “His passion for the game, his innovative approach to coaching, and his ability to inspire and connect with players make him the perfect fit for this role. We are excited to have him leading our Men’s National Team.”
Currently, Mikey Varas is serving as interim head coach during the September window. Pochettino is expected to take over for the October window, with his first match coming against Panama on October 12th in Austin. The USMNT then plays a road match in Guadalajara against Mexico on October 15th and will participate in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals in November.
It’s finally a done deal.
