Turns out, it wasn’t all just smoke when U.S. Soccer officials talked about bringing back Mauricio Pochettino for another cycle.
The USMNT’s embarrassing 4-1 defeat at the hands of Belgium that ended their World Cup didn’t change how anyone felt.
The federation announced on Monday morning it was retaining Pochettino as its manager through the 2030 World Cup — a decision that had gained momentum after it initially seemed the two sides would go in different directions after the sour end to the World Cup.
Most national team coaches only stay in charge for one cycle, and Pochettino had talked openly about wanting to go back to the club level, particularly in England’s Premier League. Perhaps seeing the country rally around the team stirred something in him, or perhaps he feels there is merely unfinished business.
The current state of the coaching carousel — the biggest jobs that were open two months ago are already filled, including AC Milan, which was linked with Pochettino in late May before hiring Ruben Amorim — is a factor as well.
Given the manner of the USMNT’s loss to Belgium, the decision to bring the 54-year-old Pochettino back will likely be controversial. Though he seemed to push all the right buttons until the Round of 16, his team didn’t show up ready to play in what was, without a doubt, the biggest game the USMNT has had in decades, if not ever.
A full cycle that includes a likely Copa America — which the US would play in 2028 should it host, as is presumed — as well as a home Olympics and World Cup qualifying after it qualified automatically for this one will be a chance for Pochettino to grow the cultural seeds he planted over the last 18 months.
It doesn’t mean the work is over for the federation’s brass, led by CEO J.T. Batson.
There is also the matter of replacing sporting director Matt Crocker, who departed for the same job at Saudi Arabia’s federation prior to the World Cup.
Batson said in May that he did not expect to hire a “like for like sporting director going forward,” and a new structure would instead be put in place.
