MIAMI: Argentine Mauricio Pochettino has been named the new head coach of the US national team, the US Soccer Association announced on Tuesday.
The former Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Espanyol coach replaces American Gregg Berhalter, who was sacked in July after a disappointing Copa America campaign.
Pochettino is the highest-profile coach to take over the US team and the first foreigner since German Jürgen Klinsmann, who was sacked in 2016.
Pochettino, 52, has been unemployed since his abrupt departure from Chelsea in May after just one season at the helm.
US Soccer has not disclosed details of the contract length, but Pochettino will lead the team at the 2026 World Cup, which the United States will co-host with Mexico and Canada.
“Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep passion for player development and a proven ability to build cohesive and competitive teams,” said Matt Crocker, US Soccer’s sporting director, who led the search for a new coach.
“His track record speaks for itself and I am convinced that he is the right choice to unlock the enormous potential of our talented squad,” he added.
At the beginning of his coaching career, Pochettino already promoted young talents at Southampton, Tottenham and the Spanish club Espanyol Barcelona.
At Tottenham, Pochettino played a key role in shaping the career of England captain Harry Kane and made Spurs a regular top-four contender, while also leading them to the Champions League final in 2019.
The Argentine, who coached stars such as Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in Paris, said he was looking forward to the chance to help the US team progress.
“When I decided to join US Soccer, it wasn’t just about soccer; it was about the journey this team and this country are on,” Pochettino said.
“The energy, the passion and the hunger to do something truly historic here – those are the things that inspired me. The opportunity to lead the U.S. Men's National Team in front of fans who are just as passionate as the players was something I couldn't pass up.
“I see a group of players full of talent and potential and together we will build something special that the whole nation can be proud of,” he added.
Pochettino takes over a relatively young team that reached the round of 16 at the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022, losing to the Netherlands in the knockout phase.
But hopes of a young team developing into 2026 were dashed by a poor Copa America campaign in July. The team failed to progress beyond the group stage after winning just one of their three matches, following losses to Panama and Uruguay.
Berhalter, who had been heavily criticized by fans and experts, was dismissed and the association took its time in finding his successor.
US Soccer executive director JT Batson said he was confident Pochettino was the right coach to get the best out of the team led by AC Milan winger Christian Pulisic.
“His in-depth knowledge of the game, his commitment to developing talent and his relentless drive for excellence are exactly what we need as we prepare for the 2026 World Cup,” he said.
The financial package to sign Pochettino included negotiations with his former club Chelsea and donations from the business world.
“Pochettino's appointment is supported in large part by a philanthropic leadership gift from Kenneth C. Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel and founder of Griffin Catalyst. Additional support was provided by Scott Goodwin, co-founder and managing partner of Diameter, as well as several commercial partners,” US Soccer's statement said.
This is the second appointment of Crocker, a Welshman who previously worked with Pochettino at Southampton.
Crocker brought in another former Chelsea manager, Emma Hayes, to manage the women's team, which she led to Olympic gold at the Paris Games last month.
