The USA FA has appointed former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino as its men’s national team coach. U.S. Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker made the news official via a press release on Tuesday.
“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 that he is the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad. We are thrilled to have Mauricio on board as we embark on this exciting journey to achieve success on the global stage.”
The Argentine has had previous stints with European clubs such as Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea.
In an interview following his appointment, Pochettino said:
“The decision to join U.S. Soccer wasn’t just about football for me; it’s about the journey that this team and this country are on.
“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, is something I couldn’t pass up. I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we’re going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of.”
According to US Soccer director Pochettino’s first match at the helm of USA will take place on 12 October against Panama in Austin, Texas.
