U.S. Soccer’s reported interest in Mauricio Pochettino has grown significantly.
Pochettino has become a top target for the open U.S. men’s national team head coaching position, The Athletic and Fox Sports reported Thursday. Pochettino was also linked as an option for the England national team’s managerial opening, but talks have quieted since original interest in July, according to reports.
He was previously linked with the USMNT by Ole in July.
The 52-year-old Pochettino left English Premier League side Chelsea by mutual consent last May. Pochettino did help the Blues qualify for Europe thanks to a strong end-of-season run despite enduring some tough moments throughout the campaign.
A long-time international player, Pochettino is well known for his time as Tottenham manager from May 2014-November 2019. He led Spurs to a UEFA Champions League Final before eventually moving to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021.
All three of his trophies won as a manager came at PSG before joining Chelsea ahead of the 2023-24 Premier League campaign. Pochettino has also served as manager of Spanish club Espanyol and English side Southampton.
U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker and Pochettino did overlap at Southampton while Crocker led the club’s academy. Pochettino led the Saints to an eighth place league finish in 2013.
The USMNT have also been linked with several coaches this summer including LAFC’s Steve Cherundolo and Columbus Crew’s Wilfried Nancy. However, a hiring of Pochettino would be the biggest splash in USMNT history to date.
U.S. Soccer parted ways with Gregg Berhalter earlier this month after the USMNT exited the 2024 Copa America tournament in the group stage.
The USMNT remain off from international action until facing Canada and New Zealand in September friendlies on home soil. Should the USMNT remain without a head coach for those matches, assistant coach Mikey Varas is expected to take charge on an interim basis,…
Author : Larry Henry Jr
Publish date : 2024-08-08 22:50:43
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Author : soccernews
Publish date : 2024-08-08 22:52:36
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.