Excitement has begun to build amongst U.S. Soccer fans as the USMNT coaching search appears to be nearing an emphatic conclusion.
According to multiple reports from major publications, former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino will become the next USMNT head coach, set to lead the 2026 FIFA World Cup host nation into the monumental competition looming on the horizon.
Following the departure of Gregg Berhalter in the aftermath of the 2024 Copa America disappointment, U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker has been on the lookout for the best fit to lead the men's soccer team toward the landmark competition on home soil in two years. He has appeared to land on a former associate of his from years ago who secures his first national team job but boasts great experience on the club side.
However, there appears to be a slight hangup with finalizing his contract, and it involves a fellow American billionaire whose club reportedly held up the process with another twist in his mercurial Premier League ownership.
MORE: Breaking down Mauricio Pochettino's tactical fit with the USMNT and where the risks lie
Mauricio Pochettino USMNT contract, salary details
While the signing of new head coach Mauricio Pochettino has been widely reported, including by Mark Ogden of ESPN and independent journalist Fabrizio Romano , it has not yet been officially announced by U.S. Soccer.
Until the deal officially goes through, it will be hard to know what his national team contract looks like.
At this point, there's been no reporting on the value of his deal, and all we know is that he is likely signed through the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It would be highly irregular for Pochettino to sign a deal that expires before the World Cup, and it would be against his best interests to sign on any longer as a manager who could be in high demand if he succeeds in taking the USMNT deep into the 2026 tournament.
MORE: All about Mauricio Pochettino, who has reportedly agreed to become the next USMNT head coach
How unresolved situation with Chelsea impacts Mauricio Pochettino USMNT contract
According to Mark Ogden of ESPN , one reason that the deal for Pochettino has not yet been officially announced is that there are still significant hoops to jump through before a contract can be signed and sealed.
Pochettino was dismissed from his last position, surprisingly let go by Chelsea and part-owner Todd Boehly at the end of the last Premier League season. The club shocked many supporters and journalists by cutting Pochettino loose just as his extremely young squad appeared to be finally grasping his tactical approach after a rocky first season in charge. Boehly, an American who is also the majority owner of MLB franchise the Los Angeles Dodgers, is thought to have taken a back seat from day-to-day operations at Chelsea but would likely have remained involved in major decisions and negotiations such as those involving the employment of the manager.
Ogden reports that Pochettino's "situation with Chelsea remains unresolved" because Chelsea still owes him money as part of his departure from the Premier League club. The ESPN report claims that "until a resolution is found, he cannot sign a contract to take over the USMNT."
When coaches in most major sports are let go for sporting reasons, the team is still contractually obligated to pay out the value of their contract. Often, the two parties come to some kind of middle ground agreement that allows the coach to depart immediately and find work elsewhere, with stipulations, while the team negotiates their financial obligations.
We can speculate, therefore, that it's likely Pochettino is worried that signing on with the United States would jeopardize his legal right to certain payouts from Chelsea, even if those payouts are past due. If Chelsea is late to make payments to Pochettino, he will want those secured before potentially forfeiting the remainder of his buyout by finding a new managerial job.
One thing we do know is that signing his U.S. contract would not require the United States to compensate Chelsea in any way. According to WorldSoccerTalk , Chelsea was in line to profit significantly, to the tune of $6.4 million, if Pochettino joined another Premier League club within six months of his Blues exit, but the report also claims he could join a national team federation without such a fee.
MORE: How to watch Premier League for free in 2024
When will Mauricio Pochettino start as USMNT coach?
Despite this contractual limbo both Pochettino and U.S. Soccer find themselves in, there is still hope for a swift resolution.
In fact, in Ogden's ESPN report, the very next paragraph following the note about Pochettino's contract hangup states that it's expected Pochettino will be installed as USMNT head coach in time to take charge for the national team's next game.
Notably, that next game comes Sept. 7 in Kansas City against none other than American coach Jesse Marsch and his Canada side. Three days later, the U.S. is scheduled to meet New Zealand in a friendly from TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.
Should things be delayed to the point where Pochettino cannot be in place for those two games, he would have to wait until the October international break when the U.S. is set to meet Panama in a friendly from Austin on the 12th.
Local News
Comments / 0