Mauricio Pochettino set to become USMNT manager as US Soccer lands top coaching job, reports say

The road to the 2026 World Cup for the United States men’s national team has a new leader in Mauricio Pochettino, according to multiple reports, including The Athletic. The former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham, Southampton and Espanyol manager was among the top targets for the U.S. Soccer Federation according to The Athletic and he got his man just in time for the September international window which will see the United States face Canada and New Zealand.

Pochettino will replace Gregg Berhalter, who oversaw the USMNT from 2018 until July 2024, when he was fired due to the USMNT’s failure to advance from its group at the Copa America. It was the end of an era in which Berhalter had regularly led the team to Concacaf competition, but he failed to advance it to compete with teams from around the world.

By bringing in the Argentine, the United States men’s national team will now have a coach who has coached some of the best players in the world and has also faced some of the best teams. He will arrive with high expectations, as getting out of their group at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico will not be enough, but Pochettino will be aware of those expectations.

Pochettino is a dynamic manager, his pressing will suit the players in the squad well, and his use of wingers and full-backs could bring out the best in Antonee Robinson and Christian Pulisic, among others. He can be flexible if needed, using a three-man defence and his football is something that USMNT fans will hopefully appreciate, as historically he is easy on the eyes and attacking.

If the job of a national coach is to win games with the best group of players he can select, Pochettino’s experience in player development is also useful. Players have improved under his tutelage and with events such as the January camp where the USMNT manager can observe the national players for an extended period, his experience can be useful in suggesting areas where the future of American soccer can improve.

The speed of this rental That just shows how important it is. By taking less than two months to recruit a new manager and ensuring he is in place when the new European season kicks off, Pochettino will have time to see the players in his new squad and prepare for the September international window.

Here are some important upcoming dates for the USMNT to keep in mind:

• September 7, 2024: Friendly match against Canada
• September 10, 2024: Friendly match against New Zealand
• October 12, 2024: Friendly match against Panama
• November 11-19, 2024: Concacaf Nations League Quarterfinals
• March 20, 2025: Concacaf Nations League Semifinals
• March 23, 2025: Concacaf Nations League Final
• June 11 – July 19, 2026: World Cup in USA, Canada and Mexico

This is a new era for the USMNT and an experienced manager will lead it. While it will take time to determine if this is the right choice, US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker has done what he can to recruit someone who can take the USMNT to the next level.

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