USMNT keeping Mauricio Pochettino is the right move for everyone

Just under a month after the USMNT's otherwise impressive run in the 2026 World Cup ended in disappointing fashion, a decision on the program's future has been made. Mauricio Pochettino is offically back with U.S. Soccer for another four years. He will guide the USMNT through a full cycle, culminating in the 2030 World Cup.

It was far from a given that Pochettino and U.S. Soccer would continue their relationship. After all, the USMNT failed to advance further than it did during the previous World Cup. Also, a coach of Pochettino's standing is bound to have offers at the club level. But as long as Pochettino is committed to sticking around for another four years, this is the best choice for both him and the USMNT.

Look beyond the results

Since Pochettino took over in September 2024, less than two years ago, there has been undeniable progress for the USMNT. Granted, an exit in the Round of 16 is the same result the U.S. had under Gregg Berhalter at the 2022 World Cup. But you have to look beyond the results to find the progress.

Keep in mind that the Round of 16 wasn't Pochettino's starting point. There was clear regression under Berhalter after he was ultimately retained after the 2022 World Cup. Rather than building off that Round of 16 appearance, the USMNT took a step back, getting knocked out in the group stage of the 2024 Copa America. The mentality and culture of the team also suffered the more Berhalter stayed in charge.

Pochettino had to rebuild the program from the inside out. Througout his tenure, those issues slowly but surely improved. During the 2025 Gold Cup, Pochettino took a roster that was far from the best the U.S. could have fielded and took it to the final, nearly knocking off a full-strength Mexico squad. That Gold Cup squad wasn't overflowing with talent, but Pochettino got maximum effort from it, a clear sign that he was turning things around.

At the same time, Pochettino also made progress with the USMNT tactically. He was able to implement a more progressive style that played a key role in the team's success at the 2026 World Cup. His switch to a three-back formation last fall was also the catalyst for success this past summer. With that formation, the USMNT got the most out of its talent, going unbeaten in five straight friendly matches last fall and ultimatley winning three World Cup games and capturing first place in its group.

Continuity is key

There are reasons why national team coaches rarely stay in charge for multiple cycles and coach at multiple World Cups with the same team. But in Pochettino's case, maintaining continuity in the head coach position makes sense. He didn't get a full cycle last time around, coaching the USMNT for less than two years before the World Cup. Given the progress he made in that short span, sticking with the same coach makes sense.

A lack of continuity hurt the U.S. over the last four years. Keep in mind that Berhalter wasn't initially retained after the 2022 World Cup, only to be brought back later after a period with two different interim coaches. Not only was bringing back Berhalter the wrong decision, but the period with interim coaches played a role in stunting any progress. With no such period of an interim coach this time around, Pochettino is perfectly positioned to build on his 2026 World Cup success.

Equally important, Pochettino's teams have often improved with time. His stints at Chelsea and PSG were brief because goals weren't met quickly enough. But Pochettino's best years as a club coach came at Tottenham Hotspur, where he had five full seasons in charge. It was in his fifth season that he took Spurs to the Champions League final, an achievement few could have foreseen.

During his time at Tottenham, Pochettino had the time to develop a strong core that he was able to mold how he wished. By all accounts, he enjoyed coaching that group, and that core played hard for him. He has a chance to replicate that situation with the USMNT over the next four years, as he already has a core of players who have bought into Pochettino's philosophies and played hard for him during the World Cup.

Stick with the coach you know

If the USMNT didn't bring back Pochettino, there would have been great uncertainty as to the direction of the program. There are no other obvious candidates who are both interested in the job and have clear credentials. That made Pochettino both the safe choice, but also the right choice.

After completly botching the Berhalter situation four years ago, U.S. Soccer had to get this decision right. The USMNT needs stability because progress isn't going to come if there is another coaching change midway through a four-year cycle. There would have been no guarantee U.S. Soccer would have found a new coach before the team's next competitive games in November, or even by next March.

That delay could have stalled the progress made during the World Cup and prevented young players from being introduced to complement the current core of the team. By retaining Pochettino, he will be ready for the next international break in September and will be able to hit the ground running in the new cycle. For the first time in a long time, the USMNT has stability and certainty in its head coach position. Of course, that's just one reason why keeping Pochettino was the right move.

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