U.S. Soccer has reeled in one of many largest free agent head coaches available on the market.
Mauricio Pochettino has turn into the following USMNT head coach, U.S. Soccer introduced Tuesday previous to the USMNT’s residence pleasant vs. New Zealand. The 52-year-old had been linked with the pinnacle teaching emptiness since July and now has formally put pen to paper.
“Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep ardour for participant improvement and a confirmed potential to construct cohesive and aggressive groups,” mentioned U.S. Sporting Director Matt Crocker. “His monitor report speaks for itself, and I’m assured that he’s the best option to harness the immense potential inside our proficient squad. We’re thrilled to have Mauricio on board as we embark on this thrilling journey to realize success on the worldwide stage.”
“The choice to hitch U.S. Soccer wasn’t nearly soccer for me; it’s concerning the journey that this workforce and this nation are on,” Pochettino mentioned. “The vitality, the eagerness, and the starvation to realize one thing really historic right here — these are the issues that impressed me. The chance to steer the U.S. Males’s Nationwide Workforce, in entrance of followers who’re simply as passionate because the gamers, is one thing I couldn’t go up. I see a bunch of gamers filled with expertise and potential, and collectively, we’re going to construct one thing particular that the entire nation might be happy with.”
Pochettino left English Premier League aspect Chelsea by mutual consent final Might regardless of serving to the Blues qualify for European competitors this season. He registered a 26-11-14 report as Blues supervisor, main them to the EFL Cup Ultimate final winter.
A protracted-time worldwide participant, Pochettino is well-known for his time as Tottenham supervisor from Might 2014-November 2019. He led Spurs to a UEFA Champions League Ultimate (loss to Liverpool) earlier than finally transferring to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.
All three of his trophies gained as a supervisor got here at PSG earlier than becoming a member of Chelsea forward of the 2023-24 Premier League marketing campaign. Pochettino has additionally served as supervisor of Spanish membership Espanyol and English aspect Southampton.
U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker and Pochettino did overlap at Southampton whereas Crocker led the membership’s academy. Pochettino led the Saints to an eighth-place league end in 2013.
Pochettino’s first slate of matches will come in the course of the October window when the USMNT hosts Panama and visits Mexico.
