Former Chelsea and PSG manager Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed as the new head coach of the US men’s national team (USMNT).
Pochettino’s appointment follows the departure of Gregg Berhalter, who led the team during their exit from the group stages of the 2024 Copa America in July.
The 52-year-old Argentine was let go by Chelsea at the end of the 2023-24 season, despite finishing the campaign with a six-game unbeaten streak.
Pochettino, known for his club management career, stated that his decision to join US Soccer extends beyond football. “The decision to join US Soccer wasn’t just about football for me; it’s about the journey that this team and this country are on,” he said.
“The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here – those are the things that inspired me,” Mauricio Pochettino said about his new role with the US men’s national team.
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.”
The announcement came ahead of the US’s 1-1 draw with New Zealand in an international friendly in Cincinnati.
Pochettino’s extensive experience managing various European teams, including Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, PSG, and Chelsea, is expected to significantly impact the USMNT’s performance at the 2026 World Cup.
