USMNT fans may not have to wait much longer to learn the fate of head coach Mauricio Pochettino following the team’s World Cup exit.
The USA crashed out of the World Cup with a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the last 16. Despite the defeat, US Soccer want the manager back with his current $6 million-a-year deal set to expire at the end of the tournament.
The Argentine, 54, has a four-year contract extension on the table that would take him through to the end of the 2030 World Cup, but he has yet to confirm if he will stay for another cycle.
Yet, that decision could come as soon as Monday with Pochettino teasing that he could make his mind up next week.
Pochettino told Spanish radio outlet Cadena Cope that ‘we are evaluating it, looking at it. [U.S. Soccer] have made me an offer to continue, and we will see. Next week we will [make] a decision.’
In the immediate aftermath of the 4-1 loss to Belgium, Pochettino, who is currently the highest paid head coach in the history of US Soccer, had said that he would take a post-World Cup break before discussing his future.
USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino will make a decision on his future next week
The Argentine said that he would take a break before making a decision after the World Cup
The USA crashed out of the World Cup with a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the last 16
US Soccer CEO and Secretary General JT Batson was reportedly optimistic earlier this week that the federation could reach an agreement with Pochettino.
However, not everyone shares the federation’s faith in the manager. Fullback-turned-commentator Alexi Lalas claimed earlier this month that US Soccer should cut ties with Pochettino.
‘I mean, it’s not that I want him to leave,’ the divisive 56-year-old told eSPORTY in the wake of the USA’s World Cup exit . ‘I just think that this cycle has run its course.’
‘When it comes to Mauricio Pochettino, you had one job,’ Lalas continued. ‘And it was the game against Belgium. You win that game, then you’re in some rarefied air. And it’s not gravy but let’s be honest, you’re playing against Spain. And you take your chances, you’re back in an underdog type of role.
‘So I think that they [US Soccer] move on. I believe he’s had a good time, but you had one job, and you blew it. And, you know, you live and die by that. Every coach understands that, every manager understands that, and certainly Mauricio Pochettino does.
‘It was an abject failure,’ Lalas continued. ‘It’s one thing to go out to Belgium, it’s another thing to go out in the way they went out, especially with the way that they looked through the tournament. I don’t think the confidence and excitement was misplaced for this team, but they picked the worst possible day to play their worst possible game. It’s obviously on Mauricio Pochettino and these players.
‘Does it completely negate everything they did? No. But the reality is a lot of that goodwill and a lot of the people that came into the tent … they’re left shaking their head and there’s an inquiry going on right now … rightfully holding this team and this coach to account.’
Pochettino was well received when he was named the USMNT head coach two years ago after previously coaching Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea. There had been reports linking him to the AC Milan job, but the Italian giant has since hired ex-Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim.
