A new U.S. coach is reportedly on the way, and he'll look to restore faith and optimism ahead of World Cup 2026
U.S. Soccer reportedly have their man, and, boy, did they get a good one. It took more than a month after the firing of Gregg Berhalter, but it was seemingly worth the wait: Mauricio Pochettino is set to become the next U.S. men's national team manager.
That's a huge deal for American men's soccer, which has found its new figurehead. The former Chelsea, Tottenham and PSG boss is set to become the USMNT's leader as this program heads into its most important tournament: the 2026 World Cup, hosted in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Ahead of that World Cup, U.S. Soccer needed to make a splash. The pressure was firmly on the federation to ensure that this hire delivers against expectations and sets the course for a flagship U.S. soccer programs for years to come. There was zero margin for error.
Pochettino has a connection to US Soccer, as he previously worked alongside current sporting director, Matt Crocker, who was running the Southampton's academy during the coach's time there. When he outlined his criteria for replacing Berhalter last month, Crocker said, "Whether they're from the U.S. or elsewhere, they've got to fit the profile, which is a serial winning coach."
To succeed in 2026, the federation needed to make a big move, and that's exactly what they did by selecting Pochettino. He's a proven commodity in Europe, even if he doesn't yet have any international experience as a coach. With several stints at the highest levels of European soccer, Pochettino might be the most high-profile hiring in American soccer history (although Jurgen Klinsmann might have something to say about that).
But what does Pochettino bring to the table? How is he different than his predecessors? What can he do to get this team ready for 2026? GOAL takes a look
GettyTalent development
Harry Kane was always going to be a superstar. So too, was Heung-min Son. But would they have become the stars they are without Pochettino's guidance and patience?
Particularly in the early years of his career, Pochettino proved himself as a talent developer. Kane and Son became heroes under his watch at Tottenham, but they're just the best examples. He got a lot out of a little at both Southampton and Espanyol.
Pochettino was let go from Chelsea this spring after one season with the club, which finished sixth in the Premier League and didn’t qualify for this season of UEFA Champions League. In that season, however, the world was introduced to Cole Palmer, who rapidly went from young hopeful to star under Poch's watch.
It is, admittedly, all a bit different for the USMNT. Pochettino won't be working with these players day in, day out. Rising stars such as Gio Reyna, Folarin Balogun and Yunus Musah won't get everyday instruction, but the guidance they get from a manager such as Pochettino could be crucial.
Pochettino knows how to work with younger players. The best parts of his career centered on him taking a team and making them better than they were before. As he steps into a youthful USMNT, there's reason to believe that he can take this group and deliver vast improvement.
AdvertisementGettyBig-name respect
One of the criticisms that Berhalter faced, particularly towards the end, was that the relationships between player and coach had become too familiar. That criticism cited issues with ego, behavior and comfort levels. No worries now on that front with Pochettino, who is a coach that will command respect.
He will come in with no attachments to these players, offering everyone a much-needed fresh start. He also will enter with some pre-built respect stemming from his days in Europe. The man has coached Kane, Son, Kyliann Mbappe, Neymar and Lionel Messi, for goodness sake. When he speaks, you should probably listen.
If Pochettino can handle egos at PSG, arguably the biggest snakepit in the world at the time, he can handle this USMNT. Everyone is starting with a blank slate except Pochettino, who enters with a resume and reputation that the USMNT's players have to acknowledge from day one.
Getty ImagesTactical triumphs
It wasn't until recently that Pochettino found hismelf managing a team with expectations. He was always the coach of the underdog, the one that could get his team over the line against bigger and more established programs.
That's what he's stepping into with the USMNT, too. This is a good team, not a great one. To win, they'll need to get results against great teams.
They failed to do so under Berhalter, which is one reason he's gone. This group rarely struggled to beat the teams they were supposed to beat, Copa America 2024 aside, but they almost never beat the teams they weren't supposed to beat. This team has talent but, if it wants to go far at the World Cup, they'll need success both when expected, and when unexpected.
Pochettino has done just that countless times. He took a Tottenham team that was always outside of the Big Five and turned the Premier League into a Big Six. He did so by routinely challenging and beating the league's established giants. Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal – all fell victim to his Spurs team.
You can look at his Champions League history, too. Spurs' triumph over Real Madrid is heralded as one of his finest achievements, as he took down the Kings of Europe in the 2017 group stage with a midfield of Harry Winks and Eric Dier. Pochettino out-thought Zinedine Zidane that day.
Pochettino has the tactical expertise to go toe-to-toe with the best, and you rarely see the best in the international game. As a result, the U.S. will have a leg up on many teams they'll face before the opening whistle is even blown.
Tournament success
Speaking of the Champions League, we have to address tournament play. That's Pochettino's only real mandate with the USMNT. He'll be judged, almost exclusively, on how this team fares in the 2026 World Cup. Nothing else really matters. This is all about succeeding in one competition.
A quick look back at the 2018-19 Champions League shows that Pochettino can do that. After escaping a group that featured Barcelona, Inter Milan and PSV, Tottenham topped Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City and Ajax en route to the final, where they fell to Liverpool. It was the first time Spurs had made a European final since 1984 and the first time ever they'd made a Champions League final.
Admittedly, that success didn't really translate to PSG, but you can't hold that against Pochettino. No one has cracked that code yet at that particular club and, with Mbappe now gone, that ship has probably sailed in Paris.
Either way, while his record isn't perfect, there is a long list of accomplishments. Pochettino knows what to do when the stakes are high and legacies are at play in the biggest of tournaments.