The Argentinian manager who has led some of Europe’s biggest clubs will now take over the U.S. men’s squad with less than two years to go before the U.S. co-hosts the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
Mauricio Pochettino, the Argentinian soccer coach who has led some of Europe’s top club teams over the past decade, has been named to lead the U.S. men’s national soccer team through a much-anticipated run at the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
“Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep passion for player development and a proven ability to build cohesive and competitive teams,” said Matt Crocker, U.S. Soccer’s sporting director.
The selection of Pochettino is seen by many in the soccer world as a high-profile get for the U.S. national team job. Positions at top-tier European clubs, like the ones where Pochettino has coached most recently, are generally the most coveted and lucrative jobs in the sport.
After a successful career as a player, Pochettino began his coaching career in Spain. But it was in England where he rose to prominence, helping to steer Tottenham Hotspur back to relevance in the second half of the 2010s after decades of mediocrity. Pochettino then went on to short stints at two of Europe’s biggest clubs, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.
All told, Pochettino has perhaps the most prestigious soccer resume of any head coach ever hired by the U.S. men’s national team, which has more often drawn its managers from Major League Soccer.
“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.
