The wait is finally over. Ex-Tottenham and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has been officially unveiled as the new head coach of the United States men’s national team.
It was reported back in August that Pochettino agreed to take over the USMNT after Gregg Berhalter’s exit, but it took almost a month for the official confirmation as the Argentinean negotiated the mutual termination of his contract with Chelsea.
According to the U.S. Soccer Federation, Pochettino inked a two-year deal that will see him lead USMNT at the 2026 World Cup scheduled to take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
“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.”
Pochettino is arguably the biggest name to ever sit on USMNT’s bench. He started his managerial career with Espanyol and Southampton before taking over Tottenham Hotspur in 2014. During the next five years, Pochettino established the Spurs as a force in the Premier League while leading the team to UEFA Champions League finals in 2018–19.
After leaving the Spurs in 2019, Pochettino coached PSG, with whom he won the Ligue 1 title, and spent one season with Chelsea.
With USMNT, Pochettino will be tasked to help a young and talented U.S. team reach its full potential and hopefully lead them to a deep run at the World Cup.
