Mauricio Pochettino will not leave his position early to join Manchester United despite commanding a comfortable six-goal lead over Haiti. The U.S. men’s national team secured a 6-0 victory in the first leg of their Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal at Nu Stadium in Miami on Saturday.
Commitment to the USMNT
Pochettino previously agreed to stay for one final week with the USMNT after being announced as the upcoming coach for Manchester United, ensuring he honors his commitment to U.S. Soccer through Tuesday’s second leg in Cincinnati, Ohio. While critics in Manchester may question his delayed arrival—especially with an upcoming match against Liverpool—Pochettino stated that his immediate focus remains entirely on respecting Haiti and continuing the growth of the American squad.
Pochettino demands unconditional commitment from his players and applies the same standard to himself. When asked if he would begin looking ahead to his duties at United, he told reporters on Saturday that his priority is the national team. Although some critics might view his swift departure for club football as contradictory to his preaching of loyalty, he maintains a clear distinction between professional career moves and the unconditional dedication required while representing a national team.
Focus on the Second Leg
Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter noted that the Argentine coach has made the squad even more proud to represent their country. This dedication means Pochettino intends to work until the very end, regardless of the scoreline.
While the coaching staff may have some free time on Sunday to casually watch Premier League footage or sketch initial tactical outlines, there are no plans to abandon the national team early. Pochettino and his staff will remain fully engaged until they board their flight to England on Wednesday.
Tuesday night will mark his final opportunity to drive home his message to the team and fans in Cincinnati.
