Mauricio Pochettino 'close' to agreeing new deal to manage USMNT

Mauricio Pochettino looks likely to continue as coach of the United States men's national team according to a report from The Athletic's David Ornstein, Tom Bogert, Henry Bushnell, and Paul Tenorio. Saying a deal is "close but not quite done," the report says the new deal would run through the 2030 World Cup, putting Pochettino at the wheel for the Gold Cup, World Cup qualifying and a likely participation in the 2028 Copa America. The program had recently hired Steve Cherundolo, a possible future USMNT boss, to lead the U-23s at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, a possible sign that no change would be coming at the head coach spot. Pochettino led the team to the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup as they won their group and beat Bosnia and Herzegovina before falling to Belgium unceremonious fashion. Mauricio Pochettino re-hire would be a win for the USMNT There could be some hesitation to re-hire Pochettino given his status as an in-demand club coach who might not see out this deal, but presumably U.S. Soccer would make some serious cash in that scenario. And there's just no debate that the Yanks took the next step in their on-field play after some initial growing pains under Pochettino. Once the chips were down at the World Cup, the experimenting was over and the best players were out there more often than not. Pochettino, 54, impressed at Espanyol and Southampton before taking the next step with Spurs, leading the North Londoners to a Champions League Final. He'd late win Ligue 1 with France before a single season at Chelsea. He has a 17W-2D-12L record as USMNT boss.