Manchester United names USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino as its manager
The U.S. men's national team coach will leave his post after two final matches against Haiti.
Quick Look
- Mauricio Pochettino is stepping down as head coach of the U.S. men's national soccer team to manage Manchester United.
- Pochettino, who led the U.S. to the 2026 World Cup Round of 16, will coach two final matches against Haiti before his departure.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Pochettino was hired in 2024 and led the USMNT to a Round of 16 finish in the 2026 World Cup. He previously managed clubs including Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Paris Saint-Germain.
Mauricio Pochettino, who took over an ailing U.S. men's national soccer team in 2024, and led the squad to a Round of 16 finish in the 2026 World Cup, is departing to take over as coach of famed Manchester United.
Pochettino is the highest-profile manager the U.S. had ever hired. His aggressive attacking style of play won praise from his players and fans alike. At the 2026 World Cup, the USMNT finished first in its group and won its first knockout-round game since 2002. Pochettino's three wins were the most at any World Cup by a USMNT coach.
As a player, he represented Argentina in the 2002 World Cup and played in soccer leagues in Spain and France. As a coach, he managed some of Europe's most recognizable clubs: Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. Last August, he signed an extension to lead the USMNT through the 2030 World Cup, giving him a full four-year cycle to build the team into a true contender.
Pochettino will lead the U.S. for two more games — against Haiti in the coming days — before departing for Manchester United.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Pochettino will coach two final matches against Haiti.
Very likely · Within days
Open Questions
- Who will replace Pochettino as the USMNT head coach?
- What are the specific terms of the Manchester United contract?
