In August, former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino was rumored to be the next head coach to lead the United States to the 2026 World Cup. After weeks of no official announcement and constant rumors of him backing out, his hire was made official on Sep. 10.
After an underwhelming performance in the 2024 Copa America, longtime United States men’s soccer coach Gregg Berhalter was fired. The federation was criticized by former players, pundits and fans for a lack of passion and a desperate need for a winning culture.
Pochettino is arguably the most qualified head coach in the United States men’s soccer history. After multiple stints from American coaches, the squad needed a manager who had European experience and could help the country go far in the next FIFA World Cup.
The last European head coach that managed the United States was Jurgen Klinsmann, who coached the team to a Round of 16 loss against eventual champions Germany.
Under Berhalter, the team did not qualify for the 2018 World Cup, and was eliminated from the 2022 World Cup in the Round of 16.
After a domestic violence scandal following the 2022 World Cup involving Berhalter and current player Giovanni Reyna, fans questioned the culture of the federation and if the “Golden Generation” of United States soccer was going to waste.
Sophomore accounting major Tommy Baron agreed with the claim that the golden generation is being wasted,“but not because of the players. The higher ups don’t make an effort to actually build the team.”
The signing of Pochettino was a good sign of the future for Baron. Pochettino’s ability to take a team farther than previously expected was an amazing start.
Pochettino boasts a reputation of progress in European football, including a successful managerial stint at Southampton and a Champions League final appearance with Tottenham Hotspur.
“The main thing that stands out for me is his resume,” Baron said. “If you look at [the year Tottenham Hotspur made the Champions League Final], there is zero reason they should have made that final. If you look at that bracket, there was absolutely no chance that Tottenham should have been there.”
In terms of where the United States men’s soccer team’s talent is internationally, Baron said Pochettino’s work at Southampton developing players in the best in the world was also a great sign.
“Development wise, the years when Southampton was producing players like [Virgil] Van Dijk and [Sadio] Mane, Poch was the head coach.”
Unveiled by the US Soccer Federation on Sept. 13, Pochettino addressed the mindset and culture that the players need to be able to compete in the next World Cup.
“I think everyone thinks that there is no time to prepare,” Pochettino said. “I am on the opposite side [of that ideology]. I don’t want to create an excuse for the players…we have time.”
The quick turnaround of coaches is similar to the university men’s soccer team, who has had three different head coaches in three seasons. For junior forward Jacob Deever, adjusting to a different system can be tough if not done right.
Under new head coach Corey Kirk, Deever expressed how different the new system is from last year’s. This year, the team is more tactically focused.
“You have to take what you have and adapt to it,” Deever said. “It’ll be seamless if you accept [your role].”
Despite the challenge of a new system, Deever said this is not a new thing for him. In youth and club levels, coaches and playing styles are constantly changing.
“My entire club level, from [the age of] five to eighteen, I had a different coach every year. I was always switching clubs,” Deever said. “I kind of got used to it.”
Deever reiterated Baron’s sentiment that Pochettino maximizes a team’s potential.
“He’s not always with the top-level teams, which is good for us,” Deever said. “He’s brought teams like Tottenham, who weren’t expected to make the Champions League final, to higher places than they were expected to reach.”
During the press conference, Pochettino said motivating his team to their full potential relies on them believing in themselves and their ability to play at a high level.
He said, “In football, you need to believe, believe that all is possible. We find a way to believe altogether and I think we can, for sure, we will achieve.”
