Mauricio Pochettino Named US Men's National Soccer Team Head Coach
The Facts
The US Soccer Federation (USSF) on Thursday named Mauricio Pochettino — former Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Tottenham Hotspur manager — as the new head coach of the US Men's National Team.
The Argentine coach signed a two-year contract, with a reported salary of $6M per year that would make him the highest-paid coach in US Men's National Team history. He is expected to be formally introduced at a press conference in Manhattan on Friday.
The Spin
Narrative A
The official announcement confirming reports that have been circulating since last month is like a dream coming true. US Soccer had to make a power move if the US Men's National Team were to form a competitive side at the 2026 World Cup, and naming a world-class head coach like Pochettino turns the men's national team into World Cup contenders.
Narrative B
Mauricio Pochettino is indeed the most notable manager ever to be appointed as the US Men's National Team head coach, but all the hype over his hiring is based on his career at club level. Given that he has no experience at the international level, US fans should first see if he can build trust with his squad and make the players buy his style of play before raising expectations.
