Ex-Chelsea and Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino named head coach of US national team

Former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has been named the head coach of the US men's national team.

The 52-year-old is now the USMNT's tenth head coach in 14 years and was hired nearly four months after he left Chelsea having spent just one season in charge.

"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," Pochettino said in a statement.

"The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here - those are the things that inspired me.

"The opportunity to lead the US men's national team, in front of fans who are just as passionate as the players, is something I couldn't pass up.

"I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we're going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of."

Pochettino is the first foreign coach of the USMNT since Jurgen Klinsmann took charge between 2011 and 2016. The USMNT said on its website the Argentinian will "lead the team into the FIFA World Cup 2026", which will be hosted in the US.

Chief executive JT Batson said Pochettino's "deep knowledge of the game, his commitment to developing talent, and his relentless drive for excellence are exactly what we need" ahead of the World Cup.

The national team's sporting director Matt Crocker also called the manager a "serial winner" and added: "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.

"We are thrilled to have Mauricio on board as we embark on this exciting journey to achieve success on the global stage."

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Pochettino was named head coach as the USMNT played against New Zealand in a friendly, which ended in a 1-0 win under interim coach Michael Anthony Varas.

It comes after the American side was knocked out of the 2024 Copa America in the group stages despite hosting the tournament.

Former manager Gregg Berhalter was fired after the first-round exit and said in a statement at the time that the team "was always focused on the 2026 World Cup and I remain confident that this group will be one of the great stories in 2026".