U.S. Soccer is optimistic that this coach, who has previous connections to Chelsea, will replicate the success of his predecessors.

Mauricio Pochettino has been officially appointed as the new head coach for the United States men’s national team. This announcement comes nearly a month after initial reports suggested he would take on this role. Pochettino has less than two years to improve the performance of a struggling team before the 2026 World Cup, which the United States will co-host alongside Canada and Mexico.

“Joining U.S. Soccer was more than just a football decision for me; it’s about the exciting journey ahead for this team and country,” Pochettino stated during his hiring announcement. “The enthusiasm, dedication, and aspiration to accomplish something groundbreaking is what truly motivated me.”

“I recognize a team rich with talent and potential, and together we will create something remarkable that the entire nation can take pride in.”

The announcement was made just before the USMNT’s friendly match against New Zealand, with Mikey Varas acting as interim coach. Pochettino’s initial game is anticipated to be on October 12 in Austin, Texas. Additionally, the team will face Mexico on October 15 in a match near Guadalajara during the same international break.

This marks Pochettino’s first role in international management, but he has been notably successful in European club football. He led Tottenham to the Champions League final in 2019 and secured a French league title with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in 2022.

His latest position was at Chelsea, where he achieved a remarkable turnaround, improving the team by 19 points and elevating them six places in the standings during his first season. Despite this progress and a runner-up finish in England’s League Cup, Pochettino departed Chelsea in May due to disagreements with club management.

The decision to hire Pochettino comes at a hefty price. His contract with Chelsea was reportedly valued at over $13 million annually, significantly more than the $2.3 million salary of his predecessor, Gregg Berhalter, in 2023.

U.S. Soccer’s sporting director Matt Crocker, who previously collaborated with Pochettino at Southampton, mentioned that finance wouldn’t be a hindrance in securing an ideal coach. The association confirmed that Pochettino’s appointment was largely made possible by a generous donation from Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel, along with contributions from Scott Goodwin, co-founder of the Diameter hedge fund, and other supporters.

Finding the right coach is crucial, as highlighted by Emma Hayes’ success this past summer.

U.S. Soccer appointed Hayes as the highest-paid coach in women’s football after her impressive record at Chelsea, where she won seven Super League titles before taking charge of the USWNT in May. Under her leadership, the U.S. team quickly turned their performance around, clinching a gold medal at the Paris Olympics just three months later.

However, Pochettino’s task could be more challenging. While the Americans boast several exceptionally skilled players—like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Yunus Musah—along with others competing in Europe, they still lag behind the world’s elite teams.

The USMNT was eliminated from this year’s Copa America during the group stage, facing defeats against Uruguay (ranked 14th globally at the time, three spots above the USMNT) and Panama (ranked 43rd) while only managing to defeat No. 84 Bolivia 2-0. They haven’t advanced past the round of 16 in the World Cup since 2002, when they reached the quarterfinals, and failed to qualify for the 2018 tournament.

Recently, the USMNT faced a defeat on home ground against Canada for the first time in 67 years.

The team’s identity struggled to take form under Berhalter, who was released following the Copa America disappointment. Pochettino will also need to address weaknesses in the defensive lineup that has been persistently unstable and, surprisingly for a team with a history of renowned goalkeepers like Tim Howard and Kasey Keller, secure a top-quality goalkeeper.

Nevertheless, similar to Hayes, Pochettino’s impressive career might work in his favor. He is potentially the most renowned coach in the history of the USMNT. In addition to leading several top European clubs, he has managed some of football’s biggest names, such as Harry Kane at Tottenham and both Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé at PSG, and is celebrated for his talent in developing and motivating players.

Moreover, Pochettino has professional playing experience in Argentina, Spain, and France. He initiated his European career at Espanyol, where he also began his coaching journey.