CINCINNATI — Mauricio Pochettino has been officially appointed as the head coach of the United States men’s national soccer team.
After weeks of speculation and confirmation from FOX Sports regarding Pochettino’s agreement to replace Gregg Berhalter, the U.S. Soccer Federation announced the hiring of the experienced Argentine manager on Tuesday. Pochettino, 52, expressed his excitement about the role, saying, “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. The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here — those are the things that inspired me.”
He highlighted the abundance of talent within the team, expressing his confidence in building something remarkable together. Pochettino is set to travel to New York City on Thursday and will be officially introduced at a news conference in Manhattan on Friday morning.
Having recently hired another well-known former Chelsea manager, Emma Hayes for the U.S. women’s national team, U.S. Soccer’s sporting director Matt Crocker expressed his belief in Pochettino as a proven winner dedicated to player development and team cohesion. “His track record speaks for itself,” Crocker stated, emphasizing that Pochettino will harness the vast potential of the U.S. squad.
The formal announcement of Pochettino’s hiring was delayed until he was released from his previous contract with Chelsea. Financial details of the contract were not disclosed, but it is known that Pochettino was among the highest-paid coaches during his tenure with Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. His appointment was significantly supported by a donation from billionaire Kenneth C. Griffin, alongside additional contributions from hedge fund manager Scott Goodwin.
Pochettino becomes only the second non-American to coach the U.S. men’s national team since 1990. His predecessor, Gregg Berhalter, led the team to the 2022 FIFA World Cup but was dismissed following a disappointing Copa America campaign.
Pochettino’s last managerial role was with Chelsea, where he improved the team’s standing in the Premier League during his single season. He previously achieved success at Paris Saint-Germain and built a strong reputation at Tottenham Hotspur, leading them to their highest league finish and a UEFA Champions League final.
The new coach will lead his first match with the USMNT on October 12 against Panama in Austin, Texas.