What's happened
Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed as the head coach of the US men's national soccer team, marking a significant change after the team's early exit from the 2024 Copa America. He aims to lead the team into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing a wealth of experience from top European clubs.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Pochettino's coaching style will be a departure from previous USMNT leaders, as he emphasizes building trust through personal interactions. Sky News highlights his commitment to developing a talented squad, stating, "I see a group of players full of talent and potential." The Independent notes that Pochettino's appointment comes after a series of coaching changes, emphasizing the urgency for success as the team prepares for the World Cup.
How we got here
Pochettino's appointment follows the dismissal of former coach Gregg Berhalter after a disappointing Copa America performance. The USMNT has seen a rapid turnover in coaching, with Pochettino becoming the tenth head coach in 14 years.
More on these topics
-
Gregg Berhalter is an American soccer coach and former player. He is currently the head coach of the United States men's national soccer team.
-
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, marketed as FIFA World Cup 26, will be the 23rd FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international men's soccer championship contested by the national teams of the member associations of FIFA.
-
Mauricio Roberto Pochettino Trossero is an Argentine professional football manager and former player, who was most recently the manager of Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur.
-
Christian Mate Pulisic is an American professional soccer player who plays as a winger or an attacking midfielder for Premier League club Chelsea and the United States national team.
-
Tyler Shaan Adams is an American association football player who plays for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga. A homegrown player of the New York Red Bulls academy, Adams turned professional with the New York Red Bulls II as a sixteen-year-old before joining th
-
CONMEBOL Copa América, known until 1975 as the South American Football Championship, is the main men's football tournament contested among national teams from CONMEBOL.