Reports: Mauricio Pochettino to be named USMNT head coach

The hire would be a massive statement ahead of the 2026 World Cup

The U.S. men’s national team may have its new head coach.

According to journalist Iván Kasanzew, U.S. Soccer and Mauricio Pochettino have reached an agreement for the Argentine to become the new coach of the USMNT.

That report was later corroborated by several others, including ESPN, GIVEMESPORT and The Athletic.

The hire would be a massive statement ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with Pochettino having developed a reputation as one of the world’s top club coaches during his time at Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.

Pochettino, 52, is currently a free agent after leaving Chelsea by mutual consent in May.

Last week, The Athletic reported that Pochettino was emerging as the favorite for the USMNT head coaching position, which has been vacant since Gregg Berhalter was sacked last month.

U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker has worked with Pochettino before, with the Welshman serving as Southampton’s academy manager in 2013 when Pochettino was hired as head coach.

Pochettino has never managed in the international game before, but told Sky Sports in 2022 that he would be open to the idea.

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