Mauricio Pochettino has revealed the three key figures he spoke to ahead of his appointment as the United States manager.
Pochettino has succeeded Gregg Berhalter as the new men’s national team boss, his first job in international football.
The Argentine joins after previous spells at clubs including Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and, most recently, Chelsea.
Pochettino’s arrival has been announced less than two years before the US, Canada and Mexico host the 2026 World Cup.
It’s another big job to add to his CV, with three people that already work across the country telling him how big of an opportunity it is.
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Speaking on the It’s Called Soccer podcast, Gary Neville asked about who he spoke to before taking the role and Pochettino replied: “Of course Emma [Hayes, head coach of the US women’s national team], the first.
“And then Martino, Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino [head coach of MLS Side Inter Miami], that was in Miami. Because he was my captain when I was in Newell’s Old Boys and I have a very good relationship with him.
“I was talking only with these two people but I want to talk with other people that are here involved in the USA, MLS and football because I want to know more in depth information because I think it’s important.”
When asked what they said, Pochettino added: “I think it was similar, literally the similar feeling that I had that the potential is massive here.
“I also, I spoke with Hugo Lloris, that was in Los Angeles, and Hugo also, he said, ‘Mauricio’, like Emma or Tata Martino, he said to me, ‘The potential is there.
‘”If you are capable of providing them the possibility to compete better, I think they’re great athletes, the discipline is there, you know, the mentality. It’s only that it’s about to compete better.'”
Hayes commenced her tenure as the US women’s boss in May after 12 years at Chelsea, where she won seven Women’s Super League titles.
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She delivered success in her first major tournament this summer as the US won Olympic gold in the women’s football in Paris.
As Pochettino mentioned, Martino was his teammate at Argentina side Newell’s Old Boys, with the duo making 22 appearances together.
‘Tata’ has been Inter Miami’s head coach since May 2023, with record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi the main star.
Los Angeles FC goalkeeper Lloris made 229 appearances across all competitions under Pochettino at Spurs, keeping 78 clean sheets.
He moved to the MLS at the end of 2023 and has since featured 35 times for LAFC, as well as making an appearances in the MLS All-Star game against Liga MX All-Stars.
Pochettino’s first two matches in charge of the USMNT are set to come against Panama and Mexico on October 13 and 16 respectively.
