The United States Soccer Federation has offered U.S. men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino an extension that would keep him under contract for another World Cup cycle, through 2030, according to a Friday report from The Athletic.
The proposal was made to Pochettino before this year’s tournament, per the report, which also stated that a decision won’t be made until after the 2026 World Cup. Pochettino’s current deal is set to expire following this year’s tournament, during which the USMNT guaranteed its spot in the Round of 32 as the winner of Group D.
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The Americans rested most of their starting XI on Thursday while suffering a sobering, even if inconsequential, defeat to Türkiye at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. They had already clinched a knockout-round berth, notably beginning the tournament with back-to-back victories. For reference, the USMNT hadn’t won consecutive World Cup matches since 1930.
The red-hot start to this year’s tournament, which the U.S. is co-hosting, helped ignite soccer fandom throughout the country this month.
Pochettino, a 54-year-old Argentine, previously managed the likes of Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur. He was hired to lead the USMNT in September 2024.
Under Mauricio Pochettino, the USMNT won Group D in this year’s World Cup. The team is now preparing for the Round of 32. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
(Jared C. Tilton – FIFA via Getty Images)
Considering Pochettino could become a free agent in less a month, his return to club soccer hasn’t seemed out of the question. In fact, prior to the World Cup, Pochettino reportedly had communication with AC Milan, the club USMNT star Christian Pulisic currently plays for.
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But, according to The Athletic, U.S. Soccer is interested in continuing to work with Pochettino and, with its pre-tournament extension offer, wanted to show its commitment toward him.
The Pochettino-led American squad entered the competition healthy and amped to perform on home soil. The USMNT impressed immediately, dominating possession throughout a 4-1 victory over Paraguay in the teams’ first group-stage match. The USMNT’s four goals were the most it’s scored in a World Cup match, period. Plus, the telecast drew record-breaking viewership numbers.
Then, after its first showcase near Los Angeles, the USMNT went to Seattle and took down Australia 2-0, in part thanks to the emergence of Alex Freeman. Now the group is poised to play Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 on Wednesday night at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
If Pochettino remains at the helm of the USMNT for the next World Cup cycle, he’d have the chance to manage the squad in the L.A. Olympics and Copa America, which is also expected to played in the U.S. in 2028.
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Pochettino made a projected $4 million in pro-rated base salary from April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, The Athletic reported, citing a tax filing published in March. What’s important to note, though, is that number reportedly doesn’t reflect bonuses and incentives, and also it came during a non-World Cup year.
Pochettino’s comments this week have indicated that he’s mulling another go-around with the USMNT.
“It’s difficult to describe or know your future,” Pochettino said, per The Associated Press. “But when you are here, I think it’s difficult now to see yourself living in another place, because for sure, we will miss it if one day we don’t stay here in this country.”
