US Soccer executives ‘flying to Barcelona TODAY’ to finalize Mauricio Pochettino’s deal to take over the national team… with announcement expected in next 48 hours
According to a new report, US Soccer’s deal to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as the men’s national team’s next head coach could be finalized soon.
Last month it was announced that Pochettino, until recently manager of Chelsea, would be coaching the United States, but no official announcement has been made since then.
However, World football talk reports that US Soccer executives are traveling to Barcelona today to finalize the deal. An announcement could be made as early as today.
According to the site, Pochettino will record a short video to be released with the official announcement and will finalize the necessary contracts.
Pochettino is not yet in place for the friendlies against Canada and New Zealand during the international break, so interim coach Mikey Varas is leading the squad.
Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly agreed to become the new head coach of the USMNT
US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker is reportedly in the process of hiring Pochettino
The official team name X account Some fans were concerned when discussing Varas’ role earlier this week, writing that “the search for a new head coach [is] continue’
However, it seems that Pochettino is almost finished.
Pochettino, 52, has top-flight experience with Chelsea, Spurs, Southampton, Espanyol and PSG, with whom he won three trophies.
The Argentine is also familiar with Matt Crocker, sporting director of the U.S. Soccer Federation. The two met in 2013, when Pochettino was just starting as manager of Southampton (Crocker was in charge of the youth academy).
Mail Sport columnist Tim Howard also welcomed Pochettino’s potential move to the U.S. Soccer Federation, calling him “perfect” for the job.
The United States will play Canada on Saturday, September 6, and New Zealand on September 10.