Former Tottenham and Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has been named as the new head coach of the United States men’s team.
The 52-year-old Argentine replaces Gregg Berhalter, who was sacked in July following the USA’s group-stage elimination from the Copa America.
The announcement came before the US drew 1-1 with New Zealand in an international friendly game in Cincinnati.
This will be Pochettino’s first experience with a national team.
Besides Tottenham and Chelsea, Pochettino has managed Espanyol (Spain), Southampton (England), and Paris Saint-Germain (France).
He won three titles with PSG and was a Champions League finalist with Tottenham.
“The decision to join US Soccer wasn’t just about football for me; it’s about the journey that this team and this country are on,” he said.
US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker led the search for Berhalter’s successor and spent time at Southampton when Pochettino was in charge at St Mary’s.
“Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep passion for player development and a proven ability to build cohesive and competitive teams,” said Crocker.
Adding “His track record speaks for itself, and I am confident that he is the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad.”
Pochettino’s appointment means the US men’s and women’s teams are both now managed by former Chelsea bosses, after Emma Hayes took charge of the women’s team earlier this year.
The United States will co-host the 2026 World Cup along with Canada and Mexico.
They are ranked 16th in the world by Fifa, one place below Euro 2024 quarter-finalists Switzerland.
