Pochettino USMNT future still unresolved after extension offer
Mauricio Pochettino has a U.S. Soccer offer to stay, but ESPN reports no public decision has followed as 2030 prep nears.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT future is still hanging over U.S. Soccer after ESPN reported there has been no public announcement on whether the coach will remain in charge for the next World Cup cycle.
Pochettino was originally hired through the end of the 2026 World Cup, according to ESPN. After the United States went out in the round of 16, he said on July 16 that U.S. Soccer had offered him a contract extension and that a decision would come the following week.
That deadline has passed. ESPN reported that 22 days had gone by since the USMNT's World Cup exit, with the next international window two months away and the first steps toward 2030 approaching fast.
Will Mauricio Pochettino stay with the USMNT?
Publicly, that remains unresolved. Pochettino said U.S. Soccer had made an offer for him to continue, but ESPN reported that no public confirmation had followed on whether he accepted it.
The timing is awkward for a program trying to reset after a 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the World Cup round of 16. ESPN reported that the U.S. also showed strong moments in the group stage, including an aggressive press and performances against Paraguay, Australia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
If Pochettino leaves, ESPN said U.S. Soccer would have domestic and foreign options to consider, including candidates previously identified by its contributors. A quick hire would still face a tight turnaround before the September window.
The schedule does not ease up after that. ESPN noted that the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal stage begins in November, followed next summer by the 2027 Gold Cup.
Why the 2030 cycle is already pressing
The next World Cup is four years away, but ESPN pointed to the age curve of several major U.S. players as one reason for urgency. Christian Pulisic, Chris Richards, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams are expected to be in their early 30s by 2030, while Folarin Balogun would be in his late 20s.
That group could still play a major role, according to ESPN, but the cycle may be the last World Cup run for some of the current core. A settled coach would give the team more time to build toward that tournament.
ESPN also compared the situation with recent World Cup success stories. Spain's Luis de la Fuente had led the senior side for four years and previously worked with the country's youth teams, while Argentina had been coached by Lionel Scaloni since 2018.
Could European clubs tempt Pochettino back?
Pochettino has previously made clear that he misses the Premier League. ESPN cited his comments from last winter, when he called it the best league in the world and said he would love to return one day, while also saying he was happy in the United States.
ESPN reported that Premier League clubs and other European teams have shown interest in Pochettino. His club résumé includes Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham Hotspur, and he has reached a UEFA Champions League final.
Staying with the USMNT through 2030 would keep him away from European club soccer for a long stretch. ESPN noted that Pochettino has also left his long-term plans open in past comments, saying earlier this year that he did not have a future contract but could continue if both he and the federation were happy.
After the Belgium loss, Pochettino said he believed the team had established principles that could help it succeed in the future. ESPN also reported that U.S. Soccer CEO J.T. Batson credited him with helping set short-, medium- and long-term strategies for the national team.
For now, the federation is waiting on clarity. September is not far off, and the next USMNT coach, whether Pochettino or someone else, will inherit the clock as much as the squad.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.