Mauricio Pochettino and U.S. Soccer are reportedly nearing a new contract agreement for Pochettino to continue as head coach of the U.S. men’s national team. Discussions between the two parties have progressed, with a deal described as “close” but not yet finalised. This potential agreement would extend Pochettino’s tenure through the 2030 World Cup.
Pochettino’s initial contract was set to conclude after the 2026 World Cup. Both sides had previously indicated an interest in continuing their partnership, and an offer was made to Pochettino before the recent World Cup tournament. However, talks were postponed until after the U.S. team’s participation in the tournament concluded.
Telemundo broadcaster Andres Cantor first reported on Tuesday night that a renewal was imminent. The proposed new deal is expected to span four years. While financial terms and other details are still being discussed, one source close to the negotiations suggested that Pochettino could earn “significantly” more than his previous deal. His previous earnings as U.S. coach, not including performance bonuses, made him one of the highest-earning international coaches globally, with some of this amount supported by philanthropic contributions.
Pochettino’s Tenure and World Cup Performance
Pochettino was appointed as USMNT head coach in the autumn of 2024, taking charge of his first matches in October of that year. His time with the team has seen a mix of results. The team experienced a four-game losing streak, the first since 2007, and suffered defeats to Panama and Canada in the March 2025 Concacaf Nations League final four. Additionally, the team lost to Mexico in a Gold Cup final.
However, there have also been notable successes. Under Pochettino, the U.S. achieved a strong group stage performance at the recent World Cup, securing first place in their group after just two matches for the first time in the program’s history. They also won their first knockout World Cup game since 2002, albeit in a round that was introduced due to the expansion of the tournament to 48 teams.
The team’s World Cup run ended with a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16. Despite this, Pochettino expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress, stating after the match, “Right now, it’s about resting a little bit, to think, have conversations with the federation to see what the decision is. I’m so happy. We’ve built a very good relationship.”
Other highlights of his tenure include a 5-1 friendly victory over Uruguay in November 2025, which capped a five-game unbeaten streak.
Future Implications and Commitment
U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson recently confirmed active discussions regarding Pochettino’s future, stating that both he and his staff are involved in the federation’s long-term planning. This planning includes the recent appointment of Steve Cherundolo as coach for the men’s 2028 Olympic team.
Pochettino had previously indicated in a Spanish radio interview on 17 July that a decision on his future would be made “next week,” though this deadline passed without a final announcement. Despite this, there appears to be continued progress towards his return. Sources suggest both sides are keen to finalise the deal to allow focus to shift to the USMNT’s upcoming friendly matches scheduled for late September and early October.
Throughout his tenure, Pochettino, who had no prior international coaching experience before joining the USMNT, continued to attract interest from other clubs, including Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur and AC Milan. If the deal is finalised, it will be important for both U.S. Soccer and Pochettino to address questions about his long-term commitment to a four-year cycle through 2030, particularly given his previous flirtations with a return to club football.
Should the new contract be confirmed, their plan and pledge to remain until 2030 will be key.
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Source: nytimes.com
