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U.S. men's national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly been offered a contract extension that would keep him in charge through a second World Cup cycle until 2030.
Pochettino, who was originally brought on board by the U.S. Soccer Federation in September 2024 to guide the USMNT's World Cup campaign on home turf, has his current deal set to expire next month. Despite this, he remains firm about deferring any decisions about his future until after the tournament concludes.
The experienced coach, a native of Murphy, Argentina, was notably presented with the extension offer before the tournament even kicked off, according to The Athletic.
Nonetheless, Pochettino has been determined to keep his focus on the task at hand, a stance both sides have mutually agreed upon. He has guided the team to a remarkable run so far, finishing atop Group D following two commanding wins and securing the most favorable bracket position heading into the knockout rounds. The Stars and Stripes enter the round of 32 as heavy favorites, with Bosnia & Herzegovina standing in their way on Wednesday.
"It's hard to describe or predict your future," Pochettino said earlier this week. "But when you are here, I think it's difficult now to see yourself living somewhere else, because for sure, we will miss it if one day we're no longer here in this country."
"We told the federation we are open," he added, "but we don't want any distractions when all our energy needs to be focused on my players."
What Would It Take to Keep Mauricio Pochettino With the USMNT?
Nothing would persuade Pochettino to remain more than a magical summer run in front of a passionate home crowd. The coach has been candid about his ambitious goals, pointing to the quarterfinals and even the semifinals as attainable targets for a nation that has only reached the last eight once in the past nine decades. Those aspirations no longer seem far-fetched, however, given the U.S.'s strong start to the tournament.
Pochettino also appears to have forged a genuine bond with his players, all of whom speak glowingly about him. He seems like one of the group, joining in on the enthusiastic celebrations after goals are scored. Those connections alone could be enough to convince him to stay and continue developing the program and the players around him.
"During water breaks, he's tactically sharp, making adjustments. Whatever he picks up from the sidelines," star midfielder Tyler Adams noted earlier this summer. "He's an incredible person. He's transforming the culture of everything we have here in U.S. Soccer. He was born and raised in Argentina, a country where soccer is practically a religion. Growing up in that environment and having him share his experiences with us — he's coached some of the best clubs in the world. That has definitely had an impact on us."
Another consideration for Pochettino is that the U.S. will also host the Olympic Games in two years in Los Angeles, presenting yet another chance to grow the sport's popularity domestically and compete in front of home supporters. The 2028 Copa America is also expected to be held in the United States.
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That said, Pochettino, who has previously managed elite clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain and worked with soccer icons including Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé and Neymar, will have no shortage of options when his contract runs out. A return to club management could be on the table.
For one, Pochettino currently earns an annual salary of approximately $6 million at U.S. Soccer — a significant drop from the reported $13–14 million he commanded during his single season with Chelsea in the Premier League in 2023–24. Pochettino has also already attracted interest from multiple clubs, including AC Milan, with whom he held discussions, as well as Real Madrid.