USMNT signs Pochettino as new head coach

The United State Men’s National Team has signed Mauricio Pochettino as their new head coach on a two years deal.

Pochettino replaces Gregg Berhalter who was fired by the USMNT after a disappinting display at the Copa America where the team won just one game and lost to both Panama and Uruguay.

Poch’s signing to the USMNT makes him the second former Chelsea coach to lead the US football team following the signing of Chelsea Women Team coach, Emma Hayes, to the US Women National Team.

He will reunite with Matt Crocker, the sporting director of U.S. soccer, who he worked alongside during his time as Southampton coach with Crocker leading the team’s academy.

Pochettino steered Southampton to an eight-place finish in the Premier League before leaving for Tottenham where he got them to the 2019 Champions League final.

The Argentine also coached PSG, where he managed Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar, winning the French league, before moving to Chelsea where he endured a campaign full of turbulence with a respectable sixth-place finish.

However, former Manchester United goalkeeper, Tim Howard, backed Pochettino for the role, claiming he had always loved Pochettino as his teams had a real identity and attacking flair, while also believing he would suit the USMNT, as they are young, dynamic and full of skills.

American midfielder, Tyler Adams, also praised the recruitment of Pochettino as he believes that the United States men team needed a coach like him who understood his work, is experienced and ruthless.

The former Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain gaffer will be in charge of the team till 2026, and is expected to lead them to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be held in USA, Mexico and Canada.

Meanwhile, Pochettino is the first foreigner to coach the USMNT since Jurgen Klinsmann was appointed in 2011.