Mauricio Pochettino and the U.S. Soccer Federation are reportedly close to reaching an agreement for him to become the new head coach of the men’s team, a person familiar with the talks told The Associated Press.
Pochettino, who previously managed Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, has agreed to take over the American team, although the deal has not yet been finalized, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Pochettino would thus succeed Gregg Berhalter, less than 22 months before the men’s soccer World Cup which will take place in the United States in 2026.
PHOTO HECTOR VIVAS, ARCHIVES AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Gregg Berhalter
The U.S. Soccer Federation declined to comment on the matter.
Pochettino, a 52-year-old Argentinian, would become the first non-American head coach of the U.S. national team since Jurgen Klinsmann, who served from 2011 to 2016.
He managed Espanyol in Spain (2009–12), Southampton (2013–14), Tottenham (2014–19) and Chelsea (2023–24) in England, as well as Paris Saint-Germain in France (2021–22), leaving his role after winning the Ligue 1 title.
The United States is scheduled to play four friendlies, including against Canada on September 7. Its next competitive matches are the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Nations League in November.