The newly appointed U.S. men's soccer manager, Mauricio Pochettino, shares his ambitions for the upcoming World Cup: 'It's crucial to aim high'.
Reportedly making headlines as one of the most significant appointments in US soccer history, the ex-manager of Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Paris Saint-Germain shared with CNN Sport that he senses the team's potential. He noted that the side needs to think on a grand scale to compete with the top teams worldwide and have the chance to win.
Following the dismissal of Gregg Berhalter, who failed to guide the USA beyond the group stage in the Copa America tournament held in June and July at home, negotiations for this position had been a drawn-out process.
At long last, the 52-year-old Argentine, commonly known as Poch, was announced on Tuesday, just minutes before the men's national team struggled to draw 1-1 against New Zealand in a friendly game in Cincinnati. Over their previous four matches, Pochettino's new team has yet to secure a victory.
The first goal on Tuesday was scored by Christian Pulisic (his 31st international goal placing him fifth on the USMNT all-time list), who is the only world-class player on the squad. Post-match, the captain voiced his discontent.
"There are several things that need to change, and it's primarily about the mentality and the team's culture," the 25-year-old Pulisic remarked in his post-match interview. "We have the talent, but I hope that's the first thing he'll aim to change."
When asked about Pulisic's remarks, the new USMNT head coach acknowledged the captain's disappointment and expressed his intention to ensure that Pulisic feels content.
However, in an interview with CNN World Sport's Don Riddell after addressing the media at CNN's Hudson Yards location in New York, Pochettino believed that the culture already exists in the United States.
"In the past two games, the team has played well, but they haven't competed properly," Pochettino said. "That's crucial: They need to compete more fiercely. We have talented players, but they must grasp the notion that we need to compete more forcefully, playing in the manner we would prefer and implementing our concepts."
Pochettino is officially set to commence his tenure in the upcoming friendlies against Panama on October 12 in Austin, followed by a clash against fierce rivals Mexico three days later. However, the ultimate objective is to lead the team to the 2026 World Cup, which will take place on home soil in a five-week football festival jointly organized by Canada and Mexico.
"It's monumental, one of the biggest events in the world," Pochettino stated. "Just being involved is a dream come true ... and, of course, we're incredibly excited to not only improve the team but also contribute to an extraordinary occasion that will be the World Cup here."
Despite the 2026 World Cup taking place in the United States, success may well rely on European influences.
Many of the USMNT's key players, such as Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams, Timothy Weah, Giovanni Reyna, and Folarin Balogun, all play in Europe's most prestigious leagues. It is likely that this will continue to be their home base for this role.
Pochettino boasts an impressive European track record, beginning with Espanyol in Spain's La Liga before moving to the English Premier League. Alongside helping Southampton outperform expectations and taking Tottenham Hotspur to the UEFA Champions League final, which they lost to Liverpool in 2019, his Paris Saint-Germain team secured the Ligue 1 title and multiple cups.
Although he did not reach the showpiece game with Paris Saint-Germain, his star-studded team (Lionel Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe) managed to win the Ligue 1 title and several other trophies. Pochettino's most recent stint back in the Premier League with Chelsea was short-lived, but European football was secured before Pochettino and the club parted ways.
The Chelsea connection has proven to be significant. The recent hiring of U.S. Women's National Team head coach Emma Hayes was a significant win for the USWNT, as the Chelsea legend amassed no fewer than 16 titles in her 12-year career with Chelsea's women's team. Hayes has already guided her new team to Olympic glory, with the USWNT emerging victorious at the Paris Olympics.
Pochettino is full of praise for the USWNT program - a "massive inspiration for me" - and Hayes, who has known her for some time, went so far as to describe Hayes as "the best coach in the world" and that "for us (the USMNT), it's a challenge to match them."
Although achieving the U.S. women's team's record of four World Cup victories might never be within reach for Pochettino and the men's squad, a strong performance in the 2026 World Cup is definitely on the horizon for everyone involved in U.S. soccer.
Wondering if the recent appointment has any significance, considering it took place on a Friday the 13th, a day often considered unlucky by many?
Fortunately, with a hearty chuckle and beam, the Argentine reassures: "I actually signed the contract a few days prior, this presentation is today, but I signed on September 10th. For those with superstitious leanings, don't worry a bit!"
The new USMNT head coach, Pochettino, expressed his belief that the team needs to compete more fiercely to implement their concepts and secure victories, stating, "We have talented players, but they must grasp the notion that we need to compete more forcefully." Additionally, Pochettino highlighted the importance of European influences in US soccer, as many key USMNT players play in Europe's prestigious leagues.
