Ex-Chelsea, Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino reportedly top target for USMNT job

U.S. Soccer continues to consider multiple candidates for the head coaching job, which has been vacant since Gregg Berhalter's exit post-Copa America. According to the Athletic, Pochettino is seen as the favorite for the job and U.S. Soccer has reached out to the Argentine's camp regarding the role.

Pochettino most recently managed Chelsea, leading the club to a sixth-place finish and a European berth before departing the club.

Pochettino would be a significant hire for the USMNT as the coach would bring name recognition and experience to the job. The Argentine has had notable success, particularly in the Premier League, with Southampton and Tottenham.

The USMNT is on a tight timeline ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted on home soil. Berhalter was dismissed this summer after the U.S. crashed out of the Copa America in the group stage in a historically bad finish.

Pochettino isn't the first manager linked to the job as Pellegrino Matarazzo, Patrick Vieira, Rafa Benitez and Luis de la Fuente have been among those who have been speculated to be candidates.

Pochettino and U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker briefly overlapped at Southampton, where Crocker was directing the club's academy during the coach's one-year tenure.

The U.S. is set to face Canada and New Zealand during the September international window, and Crocker has previously stated his hopes to have a coach in place by then. If not, U.S. U-20 boss Mikey Varas could reportedly take charge for those two matches to give the program more time to finalize a new hire.