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Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure as the head coach of the US men’s national team brought a whiplash of highs and lows. While he met some goals, his actions often left many with the impression that he never truly bought into the program.
Big Ambitions and Public Messaging
Pochettino took charge of the program in September 2024 following a disappointing performance at the Copa América, stepping in as a home World Cup approached. During his introduction in New York City, he pointed to the four-time World Cup champion US women’s team and stated that the men needed to believe they could win the World Cup.
This message was a frequent mantra for Pochettino, both publicly and privately. He even told Donald Trump that the US could win the tournament. However, his public enthusiasm contrasted with a near-constant stream of rumors linking him to English clubs, culminating in the Manchester United job he has now accepted.
Frustrations and Mixed Results on the Pitch
Pochettino occasionally expressed frustration with American soccer’s unique challenges. After a 2025 Gold Cup final loss to Mexico in Houston, he criticized the team playing in front of a pro-Mexico crowd on home soil. He also criticized the lack of stakes in Major League Soccer, suggested that US players are coddled in youth development, and clashed with media members questioning a group-stage loss to Turkey at the World Cup.
Despite these frictions, the tenure featured dramatic momentum swings. The US secured a 4-1 victory over Paraguay, marking their best-ever World Cup performance, which saw Pochettino celebrating passionately. Yet this high was followed by a 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the last 16, resulting in one of the most traumatic exits in tournament history.
Reflecting on Impact and Legacy
When asked by Sport | The Guardian on Friday to define his lasting impact, Pochettino initially struggled before smiling and stating he possessed a little bit of arrogance. He ultimately explained that his primary legacy came down to relationships and shared values rather than single victories.
Pochettino arrived with wide-ranging goals to ensure a strong home World Cup showing, change public perception of the sport, and foster long-term growth. Ultimately, he achieved success in certain areas while leaving American soccer wanting in others.
