U.S. Soccer’s Journey to Appoint Mauricio Pochettino as Head Coach
In the wake of a disappointing Copa America campaign that saw the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) fail to advance beyond the group stage, U.S. Soccer’s sporting director, Matt Crocker, found himself deep in thought while in his home gym in Southampton, England. The federation had initiated a comprehensive review of its performance, and every potential option was being scrutinized for the next head coach. Among the names on the shortlist was Mauricio Pochettino, a manager with a rich history at clubs like Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea.
Pochettino and Crocker had previously worked together for a year at Southampton, but years had passed since they last connected. Seeking to rekindle that relationship, Crocker reached out to a mutual friend for Pochettino’s current contact information and sent him a message to gauge his interest in discussing a possible coaching opportunity.
When Pochettino responded positively, Crocker seized the moment and called him immediately. Their conversation lasted 20 minutes, filled with personal updates about their families and careers. As the dialogue progressed, Crocker proposed a face-to-face meeting in Barcelona to discuss a potential project that could spark Pochettino’s interest, even if it meant stepping into the realm of international soccer for the first time. Pochettino agreed to meet, marking the beginning of a journey that would reshape the future of U.S. Soccer.
On July 16, just two days after the Copa America final, Crocker, U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson, and vice president of sporting operations Elaine Lemos traveled to Barcelona. In a hotel conference room, they joined Pochettino and his long-time assistant, Jesus Perez. As a gesture of goodwill, they presented Pochettino with a bottle of his favorite red wine, before diving headfirst into discussions.
Crocker and Batson laid out the complexities of the project, addressing both the successes and failures of the USMNT, including their lackluster performance at Copa America and the overall results from the preceding year. They presented a vision for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, which would be hosted primarily in the U.S., and highlighted the potential of a player pool some label as a golden generation, while also candidly discussing the struggles many players faced in securing regular playing time at their respective clubs.
As the meeting unfolded, Pochettino and Perez utilized a laptop to share their own insights and ideas. The prospect of coaching at a World Cup, especially for a young U.S. team with the potential to make a significant impact on home soil, intrigued Pochettino profoundly. What was meant to be a 90-minute meeting transformed into an extensive discussion lasting over four hours, culminating in a shared sense of optimism from both parties.
However, Crocker and Batson understood that the road ahead was still fraught with challenges. Their search for a new head coach would lead them across Europe, involving nearly a dozen trips to five different countries and conversations with several high-profile candidates. The initial meeting in Barcelona had laid a solid foundation for what would become a pivotal era for the USMNT.
The candidate list was impressive, featuring renowned names like Pochettino, Jurgen Klopp, Pep Guardiola, Gareth Southgate, Graham Potter, and Thomas Frank. When Crocker collaborated with Sam Gregory, U.S. Soccer’s director of analytics, the primary focus centered on one crucial factor: winning. They sought a coach with a proven track record of success across various environments, leading to an array of prestigious names, many of whom were already employed at high-profile clubs.
Crocker began making calls, expecting a mix of polite declines and enthusiastic responses. To his surprise, the latter prevailed, leading to meetings with approximately half a dozen candidates. A strategic plan was set in motion.
During a preparatory meeting at the Westin Jersey City hotel ahead of a U.S. women’s national team Olympic send-off game, U.S. Soccer officials reviewed their extensive itinerary for the upcoming European tour. The excitement was palpable, driven by the caliber of candidates they were pursuing.
Yet, the journey was not without its obstacles. Batson’s flight from Berlin, following the men’s European Championship final, had to turn back due to smoke in the cabin, resulting in a missed meeting. On another occasion, U.S. Soccer officials found themselves caught in a traffic protest, forcing them to navigate the final leg of their journey on foot, luggage in tow. Despite these setbacks, meetings with Klopp were productive, as he expressed a need for a break after his tenure at Liverpool.
Meanwhile, discussions with Pochettino continued to progress smoothly. Just four days after their initial meeting, U.S. Soccer officials returned to Barcelona for a second round of talks with Pochettino and Perez. This time, the conversation was led by the coaches, who outlined their vision for the national team in the coming months.
Emma Hayes, the U.S. women’s national team coach, also played a role in this process. Having developed a friendship with Pochettino during their time at Chelsea, she reached out to share her experiences with U.S. Soccer and acted as a reference in support of Pochettino’s candidacy.
On the day of the USWNT’s Olympic semifinal match in Lyon, Hayes checked in with U.S. Soccer officials to inquire about the progress with Pochettino. In subsequent meetings, Pochettino demonstrated his respect for U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone, acknowledging her status as a World Cup champion.
As the U.S. Women’s National Team celebrated their gold medal triumph, Crocker and Batson took a moment to strategize next steps. Despite the progress made, they were acutely aware of the work that lay ahead.
Crocker had made it clear from the onset that financial constraints would not limit U.S. Soccer’s ambition to find the right coach. He stated, “It’s a really competitive market out there, salary-wise, and we have to be competitive to get the level of coach that I believe can take the program forward.” Berhalter had earned over $2 million, while Hayes matched that base salary. To secure Pochettino, who had commanded hefty wages at top clubs, U.S. Soccer recognized the need for a competitive compensation package.
To facilitate this, U.S. Soccer ramped up its fundraising efforts, targeting high-net-worth individuals to support the federation’s initiatives. A significant donor connected U.S. Soccer with billionaire Ken Griffin, who had a history of charitable contributions and a personal interest in soccer. Griffin committed to donating a substantial amount to bolster the men’s national team program, emphasizing the importance of soccer in the U.S. and the potential impact of its players as role models.
However, the financial arrangement was just one piece of the puzzle. Pochettino was still under contract with Chelsea, despite agreeing to part ways at the end of the 2023-24 season. The negotiations were intricate, with Chelsea owing Pochettino a considerable sum, but stipulating that he would forfeit that amount should he take another job.
Batson emerged as a crucial negotiator, working to strike a deal that would benefit all parties involved. The arrangement would allow Chelsea to pay what they owed, minus U.S. Soccer’s salary for Pochettino. This mutually beneficial solution aimed to ease financial burdens while securing the desired coach.
As discussions continued, the Premier League’s summer transfer window added another layer of complexity, diverting Chelsea’s attention. Pochettino was also preoccupied with his son Maurizio’s club search, resulting in delays to finalizing the coaching deal. The wait proved challenging for those eagerly anticipating Pochettino’s official appointment.
As the negotiations progressed, the landscape shifted with managerial speculation surrounding other clubs, including Newcastle United and Manchester United. Yet, Pochettino remained steadfast in his commitment to the U.S. national team, resisting the temptation to pursue immediate opportunities in the Premier League.
With lawyers finalizing the details, Batson continued to work diligently to ensure a successful conclusion. Finally, after weeks of anticipation and negotiation, an agreement was reached. The contract included provisions protecting U.S. Soccer against any poaching from European clubs in the two years leading up to the World Cup, solidifying a partnership that both parties viewed as advantageous.
As Pochettino stepped into this new role, he did so with a clear vision and intent for the future. Having navigated various challenges in his past managerial stints, he felt confident in his ability to lead the USMNT and influence broader changes within U.S. Soccer.
On Sunday, the U.S. Soccer board convened to vote on Pochettino’s appointment, which was approved. The official announcement was made just before the USMNT’s friendly against New Zealand. Pochettino is set to be unveiled in the coming days, with hopes that he can inspire the men’s team in a manner akin to what Hayes has done for the women’s team.
Pochettino’s mission is clear: he must guide a team in search of its identity and the ability to win crucial matches. If he can channel the same transformative energy that has proven successful in his career, the U.S. Soccer program may soon find itself on an upward trajectory. The ambitious search for a winning coach has culminated in Pochettino, and now the federation eagerly anticipates the positive impact he will bring to the U.S. crest.
(Top photo: Getty Images; Design: Eamonn Dalton)
