There are plenty of options for Mauricio Pochettino if he wants to live in London as head coach of the United States men’s national team. There is London, Arkansas, which is just off Interstate 40 and just a little more than an hour’s drive from Little Rock. There is London, Michigan, which is what Rock & Roll Hall of Famers Journey might call “south Detroit”. And of course there is London, California, which probably isn’t quite close enough to LA to make it work.
OK, it seemed worth a shot.
It has been reported Pochettino desires to remain in Europe while preparing the USMNT for the 2026 World Cup, which isn’t even two full years away now. This would be a first for U.S. Soccer. Emma Hayes was hired to coach the USWNT and allowed to remain in London, but that’s because she was appointed last November and allowed to complete the season with Chelsea in England’s Womens Super League. She’s expected to move here permanently now.
If Pochettino chooses not to find even a temporary home in the U.S. – hey, we have Airbnbs all over the place! – there are analysts who contend he would be dispensing with a crucial element of the job at an essential time.
“I don’t think it should be a deal-breaker. However, 2026 is unique. Why can’t I have it all?” Fox Sports analyst Alexi Lalas said on his State of the Union soccer podcast. “Why can’t I have a coach who not only gets the wins on the field but inspires and promotes and markets and sells off the the field?”
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It’s a reasonable request, but it’s also would represent a historic break from all the coaches who’ve run the team in this century. Bruce Arena can be an interesting interview, mostly because one never can be quite certain what he’ll say. Bob Bradley is a sincere man but not a dynamic personality. Jurgen Klinsmann spent far more of his time as USMNT coach criticizing American soccer than endorsing it. Gregg Berhalter was a willing subject but always appeared to be dissecting questions as much as answering them.
Soccer is such an automatic sell in most every country in the world its preferences in dealing with the media rule even here. When journalists are permitted to observe training, it’s almost without exception only for the first 15 minutes, and often then the team will do its warmups as far from those prying eyes as the available field will permit.
If Pochettino does not sell the USMNT or the sport of soccer, he’ll be no different than his predecessors. If he somehow coaches the team to the World Cup quarterfinals or semis, he will be celebrated as a genius.
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Pochettino’s appointment is a major victory for the U.S. federation, especially at such a crucial point in the trajectory of the men’s program. Many of those who follow the team were not around during the four-decade period between 1954 and 1986, when the team failed to qualify for the World Cup even once.
Because of the failure of the team to advance from its group at the 2024 Copa America, which could be traced directly to having a player ejected fewer than 20 minutes into a decisive game against Panama, assessments of the player pool have plunged from the fantastic “Golden Generation” assertions to criticism that suggests the available talent is, in today’s preferred slang, “mid”.
In reality, the U.S. has made significant progress in the development of soccer players capable of competing in the best leagues. Christian Pulisic remains a hero of Chelsea’s 2021 UEFA Champions League triumph and, after last year at AC Milan, was named to the Serie A team of the season – the Italian league’s equivalent of All-Pro. Midfielder Weston McKennie led Juventus in assists. Right back Sergino Dest was a regular starter and midfielder Malik Tillman contributed nine goals and 10 assists for Dutch champion PSV Eindhoven. Left back Jedi Robinson was named Fulham’s Player of the Season in the Premier League.
Of the 23 players named to the U.S. squad for Copa America, 16 spent last season in a top five European league, seven others in other leagues in Europe and just three in Major League Soccer. There is great logic to Pochettino continuing to make his home in Europe, whether in London or Barcelona, in order to easily visit the games of his most important players or to scout other prospects who might be considered in the future, such as Olympians Tanner Tessmann and Gianluca Busio.
He'll only need to be in the U.S. when required: When the team gathers for games at home or in Canada or Mexico, or for any significant meetings or promotional activities that develop on the way to the World Cup. There might be times when the U.S. plays a road game or two in Europe and they'll prepare over there. It has happened before.
Pochettino has done tremendous work at nearly every stop he’s made. Those who contend he hasn’t won enough trophies ignore that he’s never been in charge of one of the game’s advantaged clubs. It’s hard not to look like a star at Real Madrid or, now, Manchester City. Getting to the Champions League final at Tottenham takes a lot more effort.
We in the media will take whatever time Pochettino will give us, and whatever personality he is willing to reveal, in order to share it with those who love the sport and perhaps to help convert those who are wondering whether it might be for them. What sells better than anything, though, is winning. That’s true in every one of our sports.