MIAMI: Argentina's Mauricio Pochettino has been named the new head coach of the US national team, the US Soccer Federation announced on Tuesday.
The former Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Espanyol coach replaces American Gregg Berhalter, who was sacked in July after a disappointing Copa America campaign.
Pochettino is the most senior coach to take over for the US and the first foreigner since Germany's Juergen Klinsmann, who was fired in 2016.
Pochettino, 52, has been out of work since his sudden departure from Chelsea in May after just one season in charge.
No details on the length of the contract were provided by US Soccer, but Pochettino will lead the team to the 2026 World Cup, which the US co-hosts with Mexico and Canada.
“Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep passion for player development and a proven ability to build cohesive and competitive teams,” said US Soccer Sports Director Matt Crocker, who led the search for a new coach.
“His track record speaks for itself and I am confident that he is the right choice to harness the immense potential of our talented squad,” he added.
Pochettino has a history of promoting young talent at Southampton, Tottenham and Spanish side Espanyol early in his managerial career.
At Tottenham, Pochettino played a key role in shaping the career of England captain Harry Kane and turned Spurs into the top four while guiding them to the 2019 Champions League final.
The Argentine, who coached stars such as Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe in Paris, said he relishes the chance to progress to Team USA.
“The decision to join US Soccer wasn't just about soccer for me; it's about the journey that this team and this country are on,” said Pochettino.
“The energy, passion and hunger to achieve something truly historic here – these are the things that inspired me. The opportunity to lead the USA Men's National Team in front of fans 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 will build something special that the whole nation can be proud of,” he added.
Pochettino inherits a relatively young squad that reached the last 16 at the last World Cup in Qatar in 2022, losing in the knockout stage to the Netherlands.
But hopes that a young team could progress to 2026 were dented by a lackluster Copa America campaign in July, when the team failed to get out of the group stage finishing with just one win from three games after defeats to Panama and Uruguay.
Berhalter, who was heavily criticized by fans and pundits, was sacked and the federation took its time searching for his replacement.
US Soccer chief executive JT Batson said he is convinced Pochettino is the right coach to get the best out of a team led by AC Milan winger Christian Pulisic.
“His deep knowledge of the game, his commitment to developing talent and his relentless desire for excellence are exactly what we need as we prepare for the 2026 World Cup,” he said.
The financial package to bring in Pochettino involved negotiations with his former club Chelsea and included help from donations from the business world.
“Pochettino's appointment is supported in large part by a philanthropic leadership gift from Kenneth C. Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel and founder of Griffin Catalyst. Additional support was provided by Scott Goodwin, co-founder and managing partner of Diameter, and several commercial partners,” US Soccer said in their statement.
The appointment is the second by Crocker, a Welshman who previously worked with Pochettino at Southampton.
Crocker brought in another former Chelsea coach, Emma Hayes, to lead the women's team, which she took to Olympic gold at the Paris Games last month.
