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In the midst of ongoing turmoil and uncertainty, players on the U.S. men's national team may finally be getting some reassurance.
The USMNT is currently assembled for the 10-day November international window, holding training sessions at the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer national training center near Atlanta in preparation for a two-match series against Haiti on Saturday and Tuesday in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals. A spot in the Nations League final and an automatic qualification to the 2027 Gold Cup are both on the line.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino is now reportedly expected to remain through the November camp and guide the team as originally planned in the two upcoming fixtures, despite his growing connections to Manchester United, per The Athletic.
The 54-year-old Argentine tactician has quickly become the leading candidate to take charge of the Premier League club, with current United interim boss Michael Carrick potentially facing dismissal as early as Thursday. According to the latest reports, Pochettino has already settled all personal terms and verbally committed to the role across the pond, despite signing a new four-year deal with U.S. Soccer just this past August.
Once United negotiate the reported $10 million buyout for Pochettino with U.S. Soccer—a figure likely to climb if Pochettino's coaching staff also transitions to Old Trafford—the new agreement could be finalized well before the Stars and Stripes face Haiti. United return to club action as early as Nov. 22 against Liverpool, a high-profile league clash that the club would undoubtedly want Pochettino overseeing from the sideline.
'Business As Usual' for USMNT
Settling in for Saturday.
Let's get after it! pic.twitter.com/nLpKqpmjxn
Pochettino was spotted greeting players as normal on Wednesday during training, embracing 17-year-old standout Cavan Sullivan and chatting with three U-20 players called up to participate in sessions. He discussed the day's schedule and had not yet addressed the United speculation, at least as of Wednesday morning.
"It's kinda been business as usual here," USMNT veteran center back Chris Richards told The Athletic. "... We've just kept our head down. We're training and playing like we don't hear anything.
"We're training like he's going to be the coach tomorrow, because we don't know what's gonna happen or what's not gonna happen," Richards added. "… If you focus too much on what could happen, you won't be able to really focus on what is happening."
Pochettino remaining for the Concacaf Nations League matches is welcome news for U.S. Soccer, who would have faced the incredibly challenging task of sourcing a quick replacement ahead of the games, particularly if Pochettino's support staff is also heading to the red half of Manchester.
The most natural interim replacement would be U-23 USMNT head coach Steve Cherundolo; however, he is currently in Spain overseeing a training camp with his own squad through Tuesday.
As for a permanent successor to Pochettino, several names are being floated. Pep Guardiola has emerged as the top target U.S. Soccer is reportedly pursuing.