What Mauricio Pochettino staying with U.S. Soccer means for the program’s future

Mauricio Pochettino, the head coach of the U.S. men’s national soccer team, acknowledges supporters after a round-of-16 loss to Belgium in the World Cup in Seattle on July 6. (Ted S. Warren/AP)

Mauricio Pochettino has signed a new contract to remain coach of the U.S. men’s national soccer team through the 2030 World Cup, a significant coup for a program that will now give one of the sport’s most accomplished managers a full four-year cycle to shape the team.

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Pochettino’s return was hardly guaranteed. His name had been linked in recent months to several high-profile European jobs, including openings at AC Milan and Real Madrid, though both clubs ultimately hired other coaches.

The new deal follows a record-setting but ultimately disappointing World Cup run during which the U.S. won four matches, the most in a single World Cup in program history and scored in each of its five games.

Pochettino, 54, took over in September 2024, leaving him less than two years to prepare the team for a World Cup it was co-hosting. This time, he will have a full cycle that includes World Cup qualifying, two Concacaf Nations League competitions and two Gold Cups.

“The passion we experienced from the fans throughout the World Cup only strengthened our belief in what is possible here,” Pochettino said in a statement.

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Financial terms were not disclosed. Pochettino reportedly earned $6 million annually under the previous deal. U.S. Soccer is again turning to outsiders to help pay for Pochettino’s services, including Kenneth C. Griffin, the founder and CEO of Citadel.

The agreement will expand Pochettino’s responsibilities beyond the senior national team. He and his staff will advise the federation on youth development, coaching education, professional league collaboration and the broader national-team pipeline, with the United States set to host the 2028 Olympics.

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