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The U.S. men's national team remains laser-focused on its 2026 World Cup preparations under Mauricio Pochettino. However, with the Argentine coach's contract expiring at the tournament's conclusion, the question of what comes next is rapidly approaching.
Over the coming months, it seems increasingly probable that Pochettino will depart the USMNT and return to club management — something he has openly admitted to "missing," particularly at the Premier League level, during his time leading the national program.
While World Cup results and potential growth in the national team's fanbase could influence decisions, planning for a future without Pochettino at the helm is undeniably necessary.
Those plans were further complicated when Matt Crocker recently departed his role as U.S. Soccer's technical director, leaving the federation without the architect who brought in both Pochettino and highly respected women's coach Emma Hayes for the USMNT and USWNT, respectively.
Here, Sports Illustrated examines five coaching candidates who could take over the USMNT role should Pochettino step away following the World Cup.
Didier Deschamps
Didier Deschamps represents one of the more ambitious targets the USMNT could pursue if the federation is seeking an experienced, high-profile manager. Currently in charge of the top-ranked France men's national team, he is expected to depart his position with Les Bleus after the World Cup — a tournament he could potentially conclude by hoisting the trophy in New Jersey.
The 57-year-old has managed France since 2012, following a club career that included stints at Monaco, Juventus, and Marseille. With the French national side, he has guided the team to the 2018 World Cup title, the 2022 World Cup final, the Euro 2016 final, and a UEFA Nations League crown.
While the USMNT player pool wouldn't offer the same caliber of talent as France's, and he would likely need to relocate to the United States as previous USMNT coaches have done, the prospect of a fresh challenge in North America could prove appealing to him.
Pep Guardiola
If U.S. Soccer is aiming for the biggest name possible, Pep Guardiola is the ultimate prize. The Manchester City boss is contracted with the Premier League club through 2027, though there is a scenario where he joins the USMNT in 2027 ahead of the 2030 World Cup, or where an early exit from his current deal is negotiated.
Guardiola previously lived in New York during the gap between his tenures at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, making a potential move to the U.S. a likely non-issue for the 55-year-old. While his trademark style of rapid passing and fluid movement may not be a perfect match for the current USMNT roster, the program's younger talents could be shaped around his philosophy over a three-to-four-year development window ahead of a 2030 World Cup tilt.
Pellegrino Matarazzo
New Jersey-born Pellegrino Matarazzo, currently managing Real Sociedad, has already carved out a place in history as the first American head coach in La Liga and the first to win silverware, steering his club to the 2026 Copa del Rey title at the expense of Atlético Madrid.
Although he has previously dismissed the notion of coaching the USMNT and has stressed his contentment with his current situation, U.S. Soccer may have an opportunity to attract him following this season and the World Cup.
At 48, he would be among the younger candidates in the running, but would arrive with valuable experience from both the German and Spanish club scenes — leagues where several U.S. players, including Johnny Cardoso, Malik Tillman, and Gio Reyna, have been plying their trade in recent years.
Steve Cherundolo
For those within U.S. Soccer who prefer a candidate with extensive domestic coaching credentials, Steve Cherundolo would likely be the frontrunner. During his time with LAFC, Cherundolo guided the club to the 2022 MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield, then added a 2024 U.S. Open Cup, all while keeping the team in championship contention throughout his tenure.
Currently without a club, the 47-year-old stepped away from LAFC at the close of the 2025 season to return to Europe with his family. Nevertheless, given where he is in his career and his deep ties to the domestic game, there remains a real possibility of enticing him back to the United States.
Beyond his managerial résumé, Cherundolo earned 87 caps as a USMNT player, representing the Stars and Stripes at both the 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups — giving him a firsthand understanding of what it means to compete for the country on the world's biggest stage.
Jesse Marsch
Current Canada manager Jesse Marsch has acknowledged that he believed he was on the verge of landing the USMNT job in 2023 following his departure from Leeds United. Acting on information gathered during a lengthy process with U.S. Soccer, he turned down an offer from Leicester City — only for the federation to ultimately reappoint Gregg Berhalter as head coach.
Since taking charge of Canada in May 2024, Marsch has elevated the team into the world's top 30 for the first time, while broadening the player pool ahead of the 2026 World Cup, in which Canada is set to play between three and five matches on home soil.
He would be a compelling choice for the USMNT given his distinction as one of the few American coaches to manage abroad — and only the second to do so in the Premier League — as well as the progress he has demonstrated in building a competitive program with a comparable player pool in Canada. He also has World Cup experience with the USMNT, having served on the coaching staff in 2010, one of his earliest roles in management after a 14-year MLS playing career.
That said, Marsch has made it clear he has no current interest in the U.S. position and has embraced his role with Canada, envisioning a continued path forward beyond the World Cup. Still, the possibility of the USMNT tempting him with a lucrative offer — and some flexibility around residency, given that Marsch is based in Pisa, Italy — cannot be entirely ruled out.