Mauricio Pochettino new job confirmed after Chelsea exit as former Tottenham boss in dream role
Former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed the new boss of the United States national team.
Pochettino's return to management is his first appointment since he departed Stamford Bridge at the end of last season. The Argentine came to an agreement with the Chelsea boardroom to leave the club after the Blues finished sixth in the Premier League.
They would have qualified for the Europa League with that finish had it not been for Manchester United winning the FA Cup. That result meant Chelsea dropped into the Conference League for the first time.
After his decision to leave Chelsea was announced, Pochettino posted this message on social media: "To the owners, the sporting directors we appreciate the opportunity to return to the Premier League at this great club and for the support you gave us, as well as from all the players, staff and fans - thank you. We understand how important this football club is to you all and that is why we work so hard to give you a Chelsea you can be proud of.
"I am so pleased with the level the team reached and the way the players and staff have all worked so hard to increase their standards, they deserve great credit and I hope you felt that too in how they performed on the pitch. We know there have been ups and downs but we always believed in this team and that we would arrive at a consistent level.
"I believe the experiences of this season and big improvement we saw, I hope will only make the players stronger for the future. It has been a pleasure to work with them all and we appreciate the strong bonds we created in this last year together."
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Joining the United States set-up will be Pochettino's first foray into international management. He had been linked with replacing Gareth Southgate when he inevitably stepped down as England boss after Euro 2024 but the FA chose to give Lee Carsley the role on an interim basis.
A move to United was also speculated as pressure grew on Erik ten Hag, however Ineos decided to stick with the Dutchman after weighing up their options. Pochettino has signed a deal which shall see him lead the US team into their home World Cup in 2026 and replaces Gregg Berhalter in the job.
Berhalter left his position this summer after his team failed to qualify out of their group at Copa America, finishing below Uruguay and Panama in Group C.
Speaking after being confirmed as their new head coach, Pochettino said: "The decision to join U.S. Soccer wasn't just about football for me; it's about the journey that this team and this country are on. The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here - those are the things that inspired me.
"The opportunity to lead the US Men's National Team, in front of fans who are just as passionate as the players, is something I couldn't pass up. I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we're going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of."