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Mauricio Pochettino has been earning praise for incorporating country music into tactical sessions with the U.S. men's national team and embracing various aspects of American culture, but it's a German luxury fashion brand that may be his greatest superstition.
Throughout the USMNT's group stage fixtures, the Argentine head coach has worn the same Hugo Boss relaxed-fit overshirt, produced by the team's official businesswear partner, which has also crafted suits for the players.
While Pochettino has typically opted for suits, team training gear, or even puffer jackets on the sideline during his tenure with the national team, the fresh look — which has remained consistent despite warm weather in both Los Angeles and Seattle — appears to be turning heads across the soccer community. It also seems to be fueling some superstitious habits.
"I love his look, I love his clothes. Shame I can't get his hair, but I could maybe get his clothes from somewhere," said former England and MLS icon Wayne Rooney during BBC's World Cup coverage. "If anyone has got Poch's number, please can you send it to me as I need to know where he gets his clothes from."
Hugo Boss has produced two versions of the shirt for Pochettino, each customized with the U.S. Soccer crest, and the garment has been washed alongside the rest of the USMNT's kit as the tournament has moved forward. On the brand's website, the shirt carries a hefty price tag of $499.
Beyond the standout overshirt, Pochettino has paired it with a white t-shirt and white Nike sneakers, rounding out the ensemble with coordinating blue trousers. On his wrists, he sports a classic timepiece and a red string or cord bracelet as a good-luck charm.
No Lemons Needed
A signature outfit and lucky bracelet aren't the only superstitions Pochettino has leaned into throughout his managerial career. During his spell at Tottenham Hotspur in 2019, he placed a bowl of lemons in his office with the goal of absorbing negative energy.
In various spiritual traditions, lemons are thought to function like a natural sponge, drawing in stagnant or harmful vibrations from the surrounding space while helping to neutralize heavy atmospheres.
"They are there to get rid of bad energy," Pochettino told TalkSport at the time. "In my office, a lot of people come in and out, in and out, and not all the people who arrive at my office have good energy...Some people arrive with bad energy, and that goes into the lemons. It's like a barrier, a sponge. They take away all the negativity, and you can see—it's unbelievable because I change the lemons maybe every ten days."
SI answers is our AI answer engine trained on human-created content.
Fortunately for Pochettino, the USMNT has had a strong World Cup run so far and has little negative energy to ward off. For the time being, the lemons can remain outside the building — but there's no chance his new lucky shirt is going anywhere.