When Mauricio Pochettino took over as coach of the U.S. men's national team, he became the most famous person to take control of the program's history.
He also became the first Latinx player to be appointed head coach in the federation's 111-year history.
Pochettino, 52, joined as a former player for his native Argentina, but is widely seen as a coach and a change-maker in many ways. He has coached the club to appearances in three major championships and comes on board with high hopes of leading the young but enthusiastic USMNT to a top spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in his home country.
He proved he could do it. In 2013, he led Southampton, then bottom of the English Premier League, from the brink of relegation to a top-10 finish, the club's best ever EPL result. He then spent five years at Tottenham, leading them to the Champions League final and runners-up in the English Premier League in the 2016-17 season.
What sets him apart from many other coaches is his belief in his team and the players on his roster. He is great at taking over teams that need a push and putting them on the map. That's his job as U.S. coach, based on his words at his inaugural press conference, and he's up to the task.
“We need to really believe in big things,” Pochettino said. “We have to believe that we can win, that we can win not just the game but the World Cup.”
He added:
“Belief is very powerful for me. You may have great talent, you may be smart. [soccer]you have to believe, believe that everything is possible. We found a way to fully believe that we can achieve it. ”
Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photo/USSF/Getty Images
Those words are being taken to heart by the U.S. national team, which has lost just one of four games since taking over the program in September. It's not just about making it to the top of the competition in 2026 when the world's attention will be on the Americas (Canada and Mexico are also scheduled to host World Cup matches), the man they call Poch will give the team an edge. . The lofty goal of lifting the Jules Rimet Trophy in his home country.
“That was really important to us [to have] He was a coach who aligned with our ambitions as we look towards 2026,” U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker said at Pochettino's inaugural press conference. “We are confident that we have secured not only the best coach, but the best talent and the best leader to move our program forward.”
