The head of the USMNT provided insight into his discussions with U.S. Soccer and Matt Crocker.
In order to prepare ready for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Mauricio Pochettino has acknowledged that he and U.S. Soccer have established clear goals for the next two years. The new coach is laying out the strategy and starting preparations for the competition, which will take place in Mexico, Canada, and the United States.
In an interview with Rebecca Lowe, Jamie Carragher, and Gary Neville for their podcast It’s Called Soccer, the head of the USMNT talked about what was expected of him and revealed who had influenced his decision to accept the position in the United States.
New U.S. manager, Diego Pochettino, has revealed that the U.S. Soccer Federation and sporting director Matt Crocker have targeted a minimum of advancing to the quarterfinals for the USMNT.
Pochettino believes that this is the target and that the team is confident in their ability to perform better. He also mentioned that two key people influenced him to take the USMNT job – USWNT boss Emma Hayes and Inter Miami boss Tata Martino. Pochettino played for the Argentine club from 1989-1994 and represented the club’s badge for a decade from 1980-1990.
He did not speak with Lionel Messi before his move to the USMNT, despite their working together at PSG from 2001-2003. However, Martino, who now coaches Messi, convinced him this was the right move for his career path. Pochettino will take to the touchline with the USMNT for the first time in October in international friendlies against Mexico and Panama.
(Goal)
