Change At The Helm: Mauricio Pochettino Takes The Reins Of USMNT
After much anticipation and speculation, the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) has appointed Mauricio Pochettino as its new head coach. This announcement comes following weeks of rumors and speculation surrounding the position.
A Lucrative Contract
Pochettino has inked a lucrative deal with U.S. Soccer, reportedly earning an annual salary of $6 million. This generous compensation makes him the highest-paid coach in the history of the organization, eclipsing the $2.29 million earned by Gregg Berhalter in 2022. Emma Hayes, the current USWNT manager, earns around $1.6 million annually.
The appointment of Pochettino was not without its complications. His previous contract with Chelsea FC, which extended until 2025, necessitated negotiations between the United States Soccer Federation and the Premier League club regarding the termination of that agreement.
Expectations On The Rise
Pochettino arrives at the helm of the USMNT with a wealth of experience, having managed teams such as Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, and Paris Saint-Germain. His most notable achievements include guiding Spurs to the UEFA Champions League final in 2019 and securing a Ligue 1 title with PSG in 2022.
The USMNT has significant expectations for Pochettino’s tenure. Under the leadership of Berhalter, the team made strides by reaching the knockout stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup but failed to advance beyond the group stage of the 2024 Copa América. Pochettino will be tasked with improving the team’s performance against top-tier opponents.
The United States is considered to be experiencing a golden generation of players, with talented young stars such as Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah, Yunus Musah, Folarin Balogun, and Gio Reyna among its ranks. Additionally, promising prospects like Cavan Sullivan are emerging, giving Pochettino a promising talent pool to work with.
Pochettino’s arrival marks a new era for the USMNT. With the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico on the horizon, there is heightened anticipation for the team to make a significant impact under Pochettino’s guidance.
