Mauricio Pochettino appointed head coach of the US men’s national team

The U.S. Soccer Federation has named Mauricio Pochettino as the new head coach of the U.S. men’s national team.

Pochettino, 52, an experienced and highly respected coach, has had successful stints at several top European clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. He is known for building teams with dynamic playing styles. Now he will take the helm of the USMNT and bring his extensive experience and tactical sense to lead the team to the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil.

US soccer club sporting director Matt Crocker led a worldwide search process and made the final decision to appoint Pochettino as head coach.

“Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep passion for player development and a proven ability to build cohesive and competitive teams,” said Crocker. “His track record speaks for itself and I am confident he is the right choice to unlock the tremendous potential of our talented team. We are excited to have Mauricio on board as we embark on this exciting journey to succeed on the global stage.”

“When I decided to join U.S. 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 achieve 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 entire nation can be proud of.”

“Mauricio is a world-class coach with a proven track record of developing players and achieving success at the highest levels,” said U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone. “His passion for the game, innovative approach to coaching and ability to inspire and connect with players make him the perfect candidate for this role. We are excited to have him lead our men’s national team.”

“The hiring of Mauricio is a step forward in our mission to compete at the highest level and make a lasting mark on the global soccer landscape,” said JT Batson, CEO of US Soccer. “His deep knowledge of the game, commitment to developing talent and relentless drive for excellence are exactly what we need as we prepare for the 2026 World Cup. Mauricio understands the unique potential of this team and this country, and he shares our belief that US Soccer is on the cusp of something truly special.”

“This announcement is part of a historic era for U.S. Soccer, coming on the heels of breaking ground on our Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center, launching the Soccer Forward Foundation, hiring Emma Hayes to coach our women’s national team and winning Olympic gold,” Batson continued. “We are building a program that not only wins on the world stage, but inspires the next generation of American soccer players and fans, and we are excited to have Mauricio play a key role in that journey.”

As part of the transition process, Crocker named Mikey Varas as interim coach for games against Canada last Saturday and New Zealand tonight. Varas, an opposing scout for the USMNT during the 2022 FIFA World Cup and an assistant since 2023, was originally hired as head coach of the U-20 MNT in November 2021 and coached the U-20 MNT to the top of their group at the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Argentina.

Pochettino brings a wealth of experience from his time in Europe. He began his coaching career at Espanyol in La Liga before moving to the Premier League, where he made a big impression at Southampton and later Tottenham Hotspur. At Spurs, he led the team to their first UEFA Champions League final in 2019 and regularly achieved top-four finishes in the Premier League.

After his successful tenure in England, Pochettino took charge of Paris Saint-Germain, where he won the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France and the Trophée des Champions, as well as leading the team to the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.

In addition to his on-field accomplishments, Pochettino is known for his ability to manage and motivate high-level players and his commitment to developing young talent. Many players who have worked under him have praised his ability to encourage their growth and maximize their potential. This focus on youth development fits well with US Soccer’s long-term strategy of building a strong talent pool for the national team.

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, and several commercial partners.

Born in Murphy, Argentina, Pochettino had a stellar career as a centre-back, making 20 appearances for the Argentine national team and playing for clubs such as Newell’s Old Boys, Espanyol, Paris Saint-Germain and Bordeaux.

Pochettino holds a UEFA Pro License and is fluent in Spanish, French and English. He will work closely with US Soccer staff to ensure a smooth transition and lay the foundation for success in upcoming competitions.