Mauricio Pochettino is being cautious about his USMNT future.
If the former Tottenham and Chelsea coach parts ways with the USA, some of the biggest available names in the coaching landscape could become his replacement.
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“We had positive conversations with Mauricio before the World Cup about the future,” US Soccer said in a statement after a 4-1 loss to Belgium.
“We agreed we would continue those conversations following a chance to rest and reflect post World Cup. We have a great deal of respect and gratitude for Mauricio, his staff and everyone part of the program.”
Pochettino embraced USA fans and went full American during the 2026 World Cup, which has set attendance records and been widely praised.
But he was also linked to AC Milan, Christian Pulisic’s club team, before group stage play began.
Canada coach Jesse Marsch — the American who went full Canadian during the World Cup — was listed as a possible Pochettino replacement by ESPN.
“So what if Marsch’s abrasive personality winds people up?” the site wrote. “A team usually reflects the personality of its coach, so would it be a bad thing if the US became a little more aggressive and snappy under his watch?”
But two bigger names will draw the most eyeballs in the international game, especially if Pochettino leaves and one of them eventually takes over a USMNT program that hasn’t advanced to the World Cup quarterfinals since 2002.
Thierry Henry, Thomas Frank and Julian Nagelsmann joined Marsch on the list of potential Pochettino replacements.
Yet landing Manchester City legend Pep Guardiola would instantly change the face of USMNT, and that’s what was suggested with Pochettino’s USA future in the balance.
“We know that he (Guardiola) has always been keen to take over a national team,” ESPN wrote. “We know how much he loves the US and especially New York City, where he lived during his sabbatical after he left Barcelona and before he joined Bayern (Munich). He can be based there.
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“He also loves the American mentality around sport. He is always talking to US coaches in different sports — remember his bromance with Joe Mazzulla, the coach of the Boston Celtics?”
While Thomas Tuchel woke up on Wednesday dreaming of coaching England into the 2026 World Cup final with a win vs long-time rival Argentina, a former Three Lions leader could also be a winning fit for USMNT.
Gareth Southgate joined Guardiola on the proposed dream list for USMNT in a post-Pochettino world.
“He faced immense pressure with an England squad that was accused of underachieving, but he did coach the team to two Euro finals,” ESPN wrote. “On top of that, the expectations and the scrutiny won’t be nearly as high here stateside, so the job could appeal to him.
“Southgate’s critics complained about his squad selection, but the USMNT doesn’t have the same embarrassment of riches or difficult roster decisions that England does. He was praised for his leadership and culture-building, which seem like the most realistic areas the USMNT can try to gain an edge other than getting better players.”
Pochettino went 3-0-2 in the 2026 World Cup, rolling through Group D before off-the-pitch drama and football reality got in the way vs Belgium.
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USMNT will likely aim higher than Poch if it moves on from a coach who went through the World Cup with an expiring contract.
Landing either Guardiola or Southgate would give US Soccer its biggest coaching name in history.
