Mauricio Pochettino has recently been linked to the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) coaching role, making him something of an outlier compared to past coaches, as he has no direct ties to the United States. Despite this, the Argentine coach has previously worked with several American players during his time in European football, including some key figures from the 2022 World Cup squad.
Pochettino’s Unique Background Compared to Past USMNT Coaches
In the 21st century, U.S. Soccer has mainly looked toward local talent for its head coaching position. Even the non-American-born coaches, like Jurgen Klinsmann, were already living in the U.S. before taking the job. Pochettino, on the other hand, hails from Argentina and has spent the bulk of his career in European football, making him an unconventional choice for the U.S. coaching role.
However, despite the lack of direct connection to American soccer, Pochettino has experience with U.S. players, having coached several throughout his time in charge of clubs like Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain.
DeAndre Yedlin: Pochettino’s First Major U.S. Project
One of the first American players to work under Pochettino was DeAndre Yedlin, who moved from the Seattle Sounders to Tottenham Hotspur in 2014. Yedlin’s arrival came after an impressive World Cup performance, where he matched up against top-tier talents like Eden Hazard. Pochettino, however, saw Yedlin as more of a long-term project.
“DeAndre is newly arrived in London and, like all young players, requires a process of adaptation, to learn a new way, to learn a new culture,” Pochettino said when Yedlin joined Tottenham. He added, “But obviously if he’s here it is because we expect a lot from him.”
Despite the high expectations, Yedlin struggled to make an impact at Spurs, making just one appearance under Pochettino before being loaned to Sunderland. Eventually, Yedlin found success with Newcastle United, where he became a regular in the Premier League and earned 81 caps for the USMNT, including a spot in the 2022 World Cup squad.
How Other U.S. Players Have Fared Under Pochettino
Pochettino has also coached other American talents, though the full extent of his influence on their careers varies. Players like Cameron Carter-Vickers and Timothy Weah have all passed through the Argentine’s systems at one point, and both went on to achieve international success with the USMNT.
However, none of these players truly made a lasting impact under Pochettino’s direct guidance, as they either struggled for game time or moved on to other clubs before breaking through.
Pochettino’s Potential USMNT Impact
While Mauricio Pochettino may not have deep connections to American soccer, his history with U.S. players demonstrates that he understands the talent the country produces. His coaching philosophy, which emphasizes adaptability and growth, could be valuable for developing American players at the national level. Although not all of his former U.S. players reached their full potential under his management, his influence has played a role in shaping their careers.
If appointed as the next USMNT head coach, Pochettino’s experience and tactical approach could provide a fresh perspective for the team as they look to build on their recent World Cup success.