Mauricio Pochettino will continue as the coach of the U.S. soccer team, having agreed to a four-year contract that will see him lead the team through the 2030 World Cup. The 54-year-old Pochettino, who took the helm in October 2024, guided the U.S. team to the round of 16 at this year’s World Cup. Here, the tournament co-hosts were defeated with a 4-1 loss to Belgium.
Despite the defeat, Pochettino helped the U.S. achieve significant milestones. The team advanced from the group stage with a game to spare and secured three wins in a single World Cup. These achievements captured the attention of American fans, leading to excited audiences in stadiums and record television viewership.
“The magic that happened during the World Cup, the connection with the people, and the overall organization was crucial,” Pochettino stated during a Zoom press conference from Barcelona, Spain.
Since the U.S. reached the quarterfinals in the 2002 World Cup, they have faced losses in four round-of-16 games. Pochettino highlighted that the U.S. team can compete with the best teams, emphasizing that the gap is not insurmountable.
“We learned that we can compete, have quality, and possess talent,” he stated. “We were very close. The gap with the best is not huge.”
Pochettino expressed optimism about the growth of soccer in the U.S., suggesting that it has the potential to become a significant sport in America.
“We have players and an organization that can compete globally. We learned that our fans are amazing, and their excitement was tremendous. The connection was remarkable,” Pochettino mentioned.
The coach sees the next cycle as an opportunity to address shortcomings in positions like goalkeeper and central defender.
“It’s essential to nurture young talent that can excel by 2030,” he said.
Before his current role, Pochettino coached Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea. He took over from Gregg Berhalter two years ago, initially signing a contract until the 2026 World Cup. Pochettino had discussed a contract extension with the USSF before the World Cup.
Pochettino mentioned the possibility of moving to the U.S., while considering the unpredictable nature of soccer.
“Four years is a long time. Soccer can change quickly,” he noted. “People may love you today, but feelings can change.”
Pochettino’s reign has seen the U.S. team achieve 17 wins, 13 losses, and one draw. Out of 62 players used under his tenure, 23 scored 57 goals. USSF CEO JT Batson emphasized the need to achieve clear ambitions, such as competing to win World Cups and promoting soccer across communities.
Philanthropic funding, led by Ken Griffin, supports Pochettino’s role, alongside contributions from Scott Goodwin, Adam Freede, and commercial partners. Pochettino earned over $5 million in his first seven months, as reported by U.S. Soccer Federation tax filings.
U.S. coaches historically struggle in second World Cup cycles. Bruce Arena, Bob Bradley, and Jurgen Klinsmann faced challenges in their respective tenures. Gregg Berhalter also faced setbacks, leading to his firing after Copa America.
“We are going to expect more from players,” Pochettino asserted. “We won’t be inflexible anymore. It’s about building from the ground up.”
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