Mauricio Pochettino, the former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain manager, was appointed as the head coach of the United States men’s national team (USMNT) back in September. The decision was met with high expectations, as U.S. Soccer aimed to develop a talented squad into a real contender ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. However, Pochettino’s early tenure with the Stars and Stripes has come under scrutiny following a series of disappointing results.
The USMNT suffered a shocking 1-0 defeat to Panama in the Concacaf Nations League semifinals, followed by another loss to Canada in the third-place match just three days later. These poor performances have sparked criticism from former USMNT players such as Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey. Now, Bruce Arena, the current head coach of the MLS team San Jose Earthquakes and former USMNT coach, has joined the conversation, questioning whether Pochettino is the right man to lead the national team.
Arena highlighted the importance of having a coach who understands the culture, environment, and players of the national team. He emphasized that coaching international football is a different challenge compared to club football, requiring a deep understanding of the country’s soccer landscape. Arena’s comments reflect concerns about Pochettino’s lack of experience coaching a national team and his unfamiliarity with the intricacies of American soccer.
Pochettino is not the first non-American to coach the USMNT, as Jurgen Klinsmann and Bora Milutinović have previously held the position. However, Pochettino’s background primarily lies in club management, with no prior experience at the international level. This lack of familiarity with the demands of coaching a national team has raised doubts about his ability to lead the USMNT to success on the world stage.
Arena’s own track record with the USMNT, particularly leading the team to the quarterfinals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, adds weight to his criticisms of Pochettino. He, along with other critics, believes that time is running out for the USMNT to make significant progress before the 2026 World Cup. The upcoming Concacaf Gold Cup will serve as a crucial test for Pochettino and his team, as they aim to show improvement following their recent setbacks.
Ultimately, the main focus for the USMNT remains on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they will have the opportunity to showcase their talent on home soil. As the pressure mounts on Pochettino to deliver results and prove his worth as the national team coach, the road ahead promises to be challenging and filled with expectations from fans, players, and critics alike.
