'Think it’s a difficult learning curve' - Former USMNT manager Jurgen Klinsmann backs Mauricio Pochettino to overcome recent struggles

USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino has faced some criticism after the team dropped two matches in the recent CONCACAF Nation's League, but Jürgen Klinsmann believes the Argentine will find success with the U.S. squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The former USMNT head coach, who held the role between 2011 and 2016, said Pochettino needs time to adjust.

“I think it’s a difficult learning curve for Mauricio and his entire staff,” Klinsmann said on CBS Golazo America. “Because obviously the landscape in the United States is so, so different to anything you find in Europe or what he would have found in South America or Argentina. So what he’s growing through is just learning by day, every day he gets more information, he gets more knowledge about his players, he gets more knowledge about how soccer really functions in this country.

“He will take it all in and then kind of focus the closer we get to the World Cup, he’ll focus more and more on what’s important and that’s basically his relationship with all the players and his team in order to create a very special energy and drive towards the World Cup.”

Klinsmann said that Pochettino has a "special team" with players featuring at the highest levels of the sport.

“He knows he has a special team, he knows he has players now that are able to compete at the highest level because they play for Champions League teams in Europe, which is unbelievable really, where our players are today," Klinsmann said. "It is now kind of day by day learning and understanding, you know, the political landscape and all the parts of it, there are so many different parts floating around US Soccer."

“In the beginning, it’s very difficult to comprehend, but once you get closer to a tournament, all that matters is his relationship with the players and the people that work close with the national team. To give them the belief and the drive and all those little pieces of knowledge that he has undoubtably because he’s a very successful coach, in the hope, for all of us, to make it a very successful World Cup for the U.S. national team.”

Following the USMNT's fourth-place finish at the CONCACAF Nations League, some former U.S. players have been critical of the team's approach and preparation.

The USMNT will regroup ahead of the 2025 Gold Cup, which begins on June 14, with a pair of friendlies before that.