Mauricio Pochettino is now the USMNT head coach despite his not-so-stellar managerial profile but can he turn things around for the United States Men’s Soccer Team?
Note that it is the Argentine’s first national team role. However, he was found a worthy successor to Gregg Berhalter as US soccer administrators desperately needed a hand to take charge of the team in time ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
In this article, we will take a look at his career, the conditions under which he was hired, and what he brings to the table for the USMNT.
Pochettino’s Managerial Career
Mauricio Pochettino has been a managerial hotshot since his days at Southampton in the Premier League.
He impressed in the dugout with the Saints and was known for his tactical acumen and ability to develop young players.
After his Southampton spell, Poch scaled higher when he moved to Tottenham Hotspur. At Spurs, he did not only finish in the Premier League top four regularly, but took the team to the first-ever UEFA Champions League final in 2019. It was a groundbreaking achievement for a manager with the least budget compared to other big clubs in the Premier League and Europe.
However, since then, his graph has just been on the decline. While his tenure with PSG saw him pocket a league title, he was criticized for not being able to squeeze in the best from a star-studded team featuring Neymar, Kylian Mbappé, and Lionel Messi and was sacked. From PSG, he returned to England as Chelsea’s manager.
Mauricio Pochettino Chelsea spell
Pochettino had a whole season with Chelsea but the difficulties still did not wane. He tried to integrate new signings and bring cohesion to a relatively large Chelsea squad with little success. Despite all the spending on transfers, Chelsea found themselves in the mid-table as the team had no on-pitch identity and consistency.
At the end of the campaign, Pochettino pushed the team to a 6th-place finish. To the Chelsea board, the Argentine did not pass the mark, but it was perhaps not a bad run for a manager in his first season with the club.
Chelsea’s board dispensed with Pochettino immediately at the end of the season. That failure arguably went quite some way to keep doubts percolating about Pochettino’s ability to handle high-pressure situations and turn around the fortunes of a team.
Appointment as USMNT head coach
Pochettino was appointed head coach of the USMNT at a very critical time for U.S. football.
He replaced Gregg Berhalter, who was sacked after the United States were eliminated from Copa America 2024 in the group stages.
Berhalter oversaw the team’s victorious campaign in the CONCACAF Nations League. He also won two Gold Cups, including qualification for the 2022 World Cup and reaching the round of 16. However, his style of play, coupled with his failure to guide the team to any major international successes, were the final nails in his coffin.
Pochettino is expected to bring fresh energy to the USMNT and build a competitive and strong squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup. He has reportedly agreed to a four-year contract. This shows the utmost faith in the Argentine’s ability to turn things around. However, a poor campaign, such as a premature group stage exit in the 2026 World Cup, is likely to turn the tides against him.
Can Mauricio Pochettino help the United States Men’s Soccer Team?
All fingers are crossed on what Mauricio Pochettino will come out with as the coach of the US national team. It is his first international role. However, based on his experience in managing high-profile footballers and elite football clubs, he has a good chance to succeed.
Also, he has scores of high-profile and experienced players in the squad, such as Christian Pulisic, Giovanni Reyna, Weston McKennie, and others to work with. Nevertheless, what he can actually do can only be guessed, at best, not ascertained.
How far do you think Mauricio Pochettino will go with the US national team? Comment below:
