Mauricio Pochettino has been named the new head coach of the United States men’s national team, according to an announcement on Tuesday. The Argentine coach, who has previously managed Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea, has signed a contract that will extend through the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Pochettino's contract is set for two years, as reported by Jeff Carlisle of ESPN. He is expected to be officially introduced on Friday, with his first match in charge scheduled to be a friendly against Panama on October 12.
Although Pochettino reportedly accepted the USMNT position nearly a month ago, his appointment was delayed due to the need to finalize a severance agreement with Chelsea, where he was employed until May.
Pochettino succeeds Gregg Berhalter, who was dismissed following the United States' early exit from the Copa America group stage this year.
U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker stated, "Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep passion for player development and a proven ability to build cohesive and competitive teams. 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, who has managed high-profile players like Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Harry Kane, noted that the national team’s "hunger to achieve something truly historic" was a key factor in his decision to accept the role.
He added, "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 will earn $6 million annually, making him the highest-paid coach in USMNT history. He is also the first foreign coach to lead the team since Jurgen Klinsmann.
The U.S. Soccer Federation mentioned that Pochettino’s appointment was supported "in significant part by a philanthropic leadership gift from Kenneth C. Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel and founder of Griffin Catalyst."
