U.S. Soccer Federation Pursues Pochettino Retention Amid World Cup Exit
Following elimination by Belgium, the U.S. Soccer Federation is engaged in talks to keep Mauricio Pochettino and assistant Jesus Perez, while ESPN analysts outline 11 potential successors.
The United States men’s national team has been eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup following a defeat to Belgium, immediately casting uncertainty over the future of manager Mauricio Pochettino. With his contract set to expire after the conclusion of the tournament, the U.S. Soccer Federation is actively engaged in discussions to retain both Pochettino and his assistant, Jesus Perez.
U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson stated that the federation is doing “whatever possible” to keep the coaching staff, highlighting their contributions to long-term strategic planning. Batson noted that Pochettino and Perez have been instrumental in advising on the design of the athletes’ village at the national training centre, drawing on their experience at clubs such as Tottenham, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain. The federation also emphasised their role in securing the focus of youth national team stars to prevent poaching by other nations.
Despite these overtures, Pochettino has declined to discuss his future publicly. Following the loss to Belgium, he told reporters that “now isn’t the moment to talk about that.” Reports indicate he has been linked with managerial positions at AC Milan, Real Madrid, and various Premier League clubs, though sources suggest there is no specific timeframe for a decision.
If Pochettino departs, the U.S. Soccer Federation faces a significant selection process. ESPN analysts have identified 11 potential candidates to replace him, reflecting a wide range of tactical philosophies and international experience. The list includes established figures such as Pep Guardiola, Julian Nagelsmann, and Thierry Henry, alongside American coaches with European experience like Jesse Marsch and Wilmer Matarazzo.
Other candidates mentioned include Chris Cherundolo, who has been appointed to coach the U.S. under-23 men’s team for the 2028 Olympics, and Gareth Southgate, who is viewed as a candidate with proven international tournament success. The breadth of the shortlist underscores the complexity of the decision as the federation looks toward the 2030 World Cup cycle.
