Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly set to be named U.S. men’s national team coach as the ex-Chelsea and Tottenham boss will lead the team into 2026.

Former Chelsea, PSG, and Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino is set to become the next U.S. head coach, according to The Athletic.

U.S. Soccer has been on a high-profile search for the next men’s national team manager after parting ways with Gregg Berhalter following a disastrous Copa America performance on home soil.

The U.S. crashed out in the group stage and became the first-ever Copa hosts to not make it to the knockout rounds. As a result, Berhalter was handed his marching orders midway through a second cycle despite receiving a new contract in June 2023.

With the U.S. set to co-host its first World Cup since 1994 alongside Canada and Mexico, the Americans can’t afford another letdown in 2026. U.S. Soccer needed a head coach who could inspire the fanbase and were linked with several well-known managers – including Jurgen Klopp, Luis de la Fuente, Patrick Vieira, Pellegrino Matarazzo and Pochettino.

With Pochettino reportedly signing his contract, he is now tasked with picking up the pieces and, more importantly, prepping the USMNT for the 2026 tournament on home soil.

Pochettino comes to the USMNT with vast experience, although this is his first job on the international level.

After a decorated playing career that saw him earn 20 caps for Argentina, Pochettino’s managerial career began with his former club, Espanyol, in 2009. In 2013, he was hired by Southampton, but spent just one year there before joining his most notable team: Tottenham. He helped lead Spurs to the 2019 Champions League final, building a team around Harry Kane that contended at the top of the Premier League throughout his tenure.

After being dismissed due to a slow start in 2019, he went on to manage Paris Saint-Germain, winning one Ligue 1 title, before spending one season in charge of a chaotic Chelsea team.

Crocker has previously said U.S. Soccer would be willing to splash out to get the right person for the job: “It’s a really competitive market out there, salary-wise, and we have to be competitive to get the level of coach that I believe can take the program forward in terms of achieving the results that we want on the field,” he said. “It’s a priority. It’s something we’re prepared to invest in and something that we will be investing in.

The Pochettino era could begin as early as September when the U.S. returns to action for two friendlies. On September 7 in Kansas City, they face Canada, now led by Jesse Marsch, who was once linked to the U.S. job. The Americans then head to Cincinnati to host New Zealand on September 10.