Imagine the optics of having a national team manager who isn’t based in that same country. That’s what’s reportedly happening as the United States men’s national team is poised to make a significant move by appointing Mauricio Pochettino as their new head coach and having him based in Europe.
This hiring decision follows the dismissal of former coach Gregg Berhalter after a disappointing Copa América group stage exit. The Argentine coach has an impressive resume with top European clubs. Thus, he will look to bring a much-needed shake-up to the USMNT. The World Cup on home soil is now less than two years away.
The 52-year-old is a highly respected figure in European soccer. He has managed top-tier teams such as Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea. His coaching career has seen him work with some of the world’s elite players. For example, he coached Harry Kane and ex-PSG trio Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. Pochettino’s track record of nurturing young talent, as seen with players like Dele Alli and Cole Palmer, makes him an ideal candidate to lead the USMNT squad.
The decision to pursue the Argentine came after U.S. Soccer’s sporting director, Matt Crocker, pledged to find a “serial winning coach” to take over the national team. Pochettino fits this description, with his extensive experience at the highest levels of European soccer. His potential hiring marks a significant statement of intent from U.S. Soccer, signaling their commitment to elevating the national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Strategic yet unconventional move
Interestingly, while Pochettino will take the helm of the USMNT, ESPN says he will reportedly remain based in Europe. This breaks the norm since national team coaches from the United States are usually stationed there. Former USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter, for example, operated out of U.S. Soccer’s headquarters in Chicago. In a similar vein, the new coach of the…
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/instant-reforms-pochettino-disrupts-usmnts-decades-long-rule/
Author : Martina Alcheva
Publish date : 2024-08-16 16:31:44
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