Mauricio Pochettino Becomes the USMNT Coach
Big news coming out of the United States Men’s National Team. It looks like they found their new coach!
I struck out in my previous article predicting who it may be. It’s not Jesse Marsch, Steve Cherundolo, Jim Curtin, or Thierry Henry.
The USMNT is hiring Mauricio Pochettino!
This 👆 is huge news and a great hire to restructure a talented group of players.
Pochettino will bring fresh energy and experience to the national team.
Who is Mauricio Pochettino?
Mauricio Pochettino, 52, is an Argentine football manager and former player.
He is widely recognized for his coaching career, particularly in European football.
As a player, Pochettino was a central defender, and he had a solid career playing for clubs like Espanyol, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), and Bordeaux.
He also earned 20 caps with the Argentina national team.
As a coach, Pochettino rose to prominence as a manager during his time at Southampton in the English Premier League.
He then became the head coach of Tottenham Hotspur. He achieved significant success early on, leading them to several top-four finishes in the Premier League and taking the club to the UEFA Champions League final in 2019.
Most recently, he managed Chelsea, bringing his wealth of experience to a club known for its competitive edge.
His ability to improve player performance and foster a strong team spirit was evident in his coaching roles.
What is Pochettino’s Coaching Philosophy
Pochettino’s coaching philosophy centers around high-intensity pressing and attractive attacking soccer.
He emphasizes fitness and discipline, ensuring that his players can maintain their energy throughout the match.
His training sessions often include rigorous drills aimed at enhancing players’ tactical awareness and technical skills.
In addition to the tactics, he focuses on building a strong rapport with his players.
The USMNT can expect a coach who values hard work, strategic play, and continuous improvement.
He’s not afraid to make adjustments mid-game which has been the Achilles heel of our national team.
What Pochettino Brings to USMNT
Coach Pochettino is set to bring a lot of experience, skill, and enthusiasm to the U.S. men’s national soccer team.
One major strength is his tactical knowledge. Pochettino is known for his ability to adjust strategies during games. This should open things up for guys like Reyna, Pulisic, and Balogun.
He also emphasizes youth development. Pochettino has a track record of developing young talent, which is great news for the younger USMNT players looking to make their mark. We have a lot of talent coming up the national circuit.
In the locker room, Pochettino signifies a new start. The USMNT can forget about their dreadful ’24 Copa America exit. They can focus their efforts on the 2026 World Cup.
Not All Sunshine & Rainbows
I don’t want to play Debbie Downer, but with all the excitement comes some pauses. Let’s dive into some things that may go wrong.
First, Pochettino never managed a national team before.
Why is this important? He’s only with the group for short stints rather than ten months. This makes it challenging to develop players the way he wants.
Also, Pochettino has primarily coached in European leagues. They typically have a different style, infrastructure, and talent pipeline than the U.S. His high-pressing, aggressive style of football may not be the most natural fit for the current USMNT player pool.
All of this will certainly make it more difficult to develop the players and make them play a new style.
Lastly, a couple of open-ended questions remain…
- Will he prefer players in Europe over U.S.-based players?
- What if a big club scoops him up? Does he put more of his efforts there?
Expectations Are High For USMNT
Overall, I think this is a great hire. Similar to what the women’s national team did by hiring Emma Hayes, the USMNT is poised for a fresh start. A start that takes advantage of all the talent on the roster.
Pochettino understands the pressures and expectations that come with it. This experience will be vital as the USMNT prepares for the 2026 World Cup.
With Pochettino at the helm, you can look forward to an exciting new era for the USMNT!
