Mauricio Pochettino is close to agreeing an extension to remain head coach of the USMNT through the 2030 World Cup, despite the team's campaign ending in disaster. The 54-year-old's initial contract expired after the tournament, where the USMNT suffered a 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the round of 16.
US Soccer and Pochettino are closing in on a new four-year deal that would keep him in charge through 2030, according to The Athletic. Talks between the two parties were paused during the tournament but have progressed rapidly since.
Pochettino said after the Belgium loss that it was about resting a little, thinking things over and having conversations with the federation to see what the decision would be, adding that he was very happy.
US Soccer CEO JT Batson confirmed that active discussions were underway regarding the future of the coaching staff. Batson said that from a men's national team coaching standpoint, they were in active discussions with Pochettino and his staff about the future, and that they all shared a belief that the best days of US Soccer were ahead.
Strong group stage, disappointing exit
While the manner of the exit raised questions over Pochettino's salary, the USMNT had a strong group stage under his tenure, finishing first after winning their opening two matches. Pochettino took charge of the national team in October 2024 and has remained involved in the federation's long-term planning since.
Not everyone shares the federation's confidence in the manager. Fullback-turned-commentator Alexi Lalas said earlier this month that US Soccer should cut ties with Pochettino.
"I mean, it's not that I want him to leave," Lalas told talkSPORT after the USA's World Cup exit. "I just think that this cycle has run its course."
"When it comes to Mauricio Pochettino, you had one job," Lalas continued. "And it was the game against Belgium. You win that game, then you're in some rarefied air... So I think that they move on. I believe he's had a good time, but you had one job, and you blew it."
"It was an abject failure," Lalas said. "It's one thing to go out to Belgium, it's another thing to go out in the way they went out, especially with the way that they looked through the tournament."
Lalas said he did not think the confidence and excitement around the team had been misplaced, but that they picked the worst possible day to play their worst possible game, and that it was on Pochettino and the players. He said an inquiry was underway that was rightfully holding the team and coach to account.
Pochettino was well received when he was named USMNT head coach two years ago after previously coaching Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. There had been reports linking him to the AC Milan job, but that club has since hired former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim.
