The Tension of a New Era
Mauricio Pochettino’s recent press conference, where he introduced the United States roster for the 2026 World Cup, was marked by an air of disinterest. It seemed as though he would rather be in Milan than in the United States. However, this is not referring to the town in Indiana known for its iconic basketball story but rather the Italian city of Milan, home to AC Milan and the San Siro stadium.
A Possible Future in Italy
There have been multiple reports suggesting that Pochettino has already had discussions with AC Milan officials about taking over the team after the USMNT’s World Cup campaign. Online, there are already photoshopped images of him wearing a Milan track suit, and social media groups dedicated to the USMNT have seen numerous comments about his potential move.
While some may want to make a big deal out of these rumors, it ultimately doesn’t matter. Pochettino was hired for one specific job: to complete the growth project toward this year’s home World Cup after it was thrown off course by the events surrounding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The Legacy of the 2022 World Cup
The aftermath of the 2022 World Cup saw a series of challenges, including an investigation and the re-hiring of Gregg Berhalter. The players spent a year aware that they had saved their coach’s job, and the behavior and results that followed ensured that they didn’t save it for long.
A Focus on Performance
Despite the challenges, Pochettino’s main goal is to arrange and rearrange his team in such a way as to deliver World Cup excellence for the USMNT. What that might look like is still unclear, but star forward Christian Pulisic emphasized the importance of taking it one game at a time.
“For us, there’s no reason to put an exact target of what’s a successful World Cup,” Pulisic said. “There’s really multiple stages. First, there’s the group stage; we have to go game by game.”
A Contract with a Deadline
Pochettino’s contract expires when the World Cup ends, and while he could live comfortably on the $13 million deal, it’s reasonable for his representatives to explore future opportunities. With two months between exhibition games and the tournament opener against Paraguay, there was ample time for meetings with Milan’s front office.
A Precedent Set by Van Gaal
This kind of maneuver is not unprecedented. When Louis van Gaal prepared to coach the Netherlands at the 2014 World Cup, he accepted a three-year contract with Manchester United nearly a month before the tournament began. He continued as planned as coach of the Dutch team, leading them to a group victory and eventually to a semifinal.
Challenges Ahead
Pochettino’s challenge is not just about what lies ahead but also about what has already transpired. He was hired without international managerial experience but with a strong club background. His record with the USMNT stands at 13 wins and 9 losses in 24 games. An American manager with a similar record would face significant criticism, as seen with Berhalter’s tenure.
Building the Team
Although Pochettino did not have a full cycle to understand the team, he spent nearly all available time from September 2024 until March 2026 tinkering with rosters, lineups, and formations. His approach changed significantly, leading to varied results and leaving some players, like Diego Luna and Tanner Tessman, questioning their roles.
Pressure on Players and Coaches
As much focus is on players like Pulisic, the pressure on Pochettino is even greater. If he fails, it could mean a botched home World Cup. The legacy of previous coaches, like Jurgen Klinsmann, who led Germany to the semifinals in 2006, sets a high bar for performance.
The Drive to Win
For someone in Pochettino’s position, the drive to win is essential. Most have enough money to avoid the daily grind of strategizing for victory, yet few leave willingly. They live to win games, not to announce their next jobs.
