Mauricio Pochettino’s time leading the USA men’s soccer team is officially over, with the 54-year-old Argentine now set to take over as the new manager for Manchester United. This move comes after the Red Devils finally, officially parted ways with Micheal Carrick on Thursday, leaving U.S. Soccer scrambling to find a replacement as big tournaments loom. Pochettino, who guided the Stars and Stripes to the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is leaving a huge void, whether he coaches the upcoming Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals against Haiti or not. The focus now shifts entirely to who steps into one of the most high-pressure jobs in international soccer.
The Clock Is Ticking For USA Soccer, And One Name Will Shock You
The stakes for U.S. Soccer are massive. We’re talking Nations League and Gold Cup trophies to play for next year, then the 2030 World Cup qualifying matches right after that. This isn’t just a coaching change, it’s a pivot point for our national team, including players like our own Cristian Roldan who just got called up to the USMNT, and Jordan Morris. U.S. Soccer needs to get this right, and fast. The good news? The search is likely already underway, and some absolute bombshell names are being floated.
Leading that list, unbelievably, is Pep Guardiola. Yes, *that* Pep Guardiola. Arguably the best coach in soccer history, this 55-year-old Spaniard is every team’s dream. He’s been unattached since leaving Manchester City last spring after a decade of winning everything. While he’s said he’d never manage another club after his wildly successful runs at City, Bayern Munich, and Barcelona, and he even turned down Italy in July, there’s a serious glimmer of hope. Guardiola has a known affinity for America, having lived in New York back in 2012-13. And here’s the kicker: a source with knowledge of Guardiola’s thinking said the England and USA jobs are “particularly enticing” to him. Remember what Guardiola himself said after Pochettino was first appointed? He declared, “The USA is fascinating to try to build a project for many years and being able to get the national team to the next step. The potential with the USA is there.” If that’s not a green light, what is?
Who Else Could Lead The Stars And Stripes Into The Future?
While Pep is the headline grabber, the U.S. Soccer Federation has other strong candidates. Pellegrino Matarazzo, the 48-year-old New Jersey native and Ivy League-educated coach, is the best American coach working today. He was in the conversation before Pochettino was hired in 2024 and has only boosted his stock since, emerging as a rising star in Europe after leading Real Sociedad to the Copa del Rey title over Atlético Madrid in May. Matarazzo also has experience managing Bundesliga sides Hoffenheim and Stuttgart.
Then there’s Roberto Martinez. The classy 53-year-old resigned as Portugal’s coach after a heart-wrenching 1-0, stoppage-time loss to Spain , the eventual 2026 FIFA World Cup champions , in the round of 16. Just last year, he beat Spain in the UEFA Nations League final, which was only Portugal’s third international title ever. Martinez has serious international chops, having led Belgium to their highest-ever finish at the 2018 World Cup with a third-place showing. Plus, he’s got a connection to American audiences, having been a star analyst for ESPN during the 2014 World Cup. Finally, Steve Cherundolo, who was named coach of the 2028 U.S. men’s Olympic team (the under 23s) last summer, is clearly overqualified for that role. He also has an assistant background with two Bundeslig.
This is a critical moment for U.S. Soccer. The Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals against Haiti on Saturday and again on Tuesday are immediate tests, but the bigger picture is the 2030 World Cup. Finding the right leader who can take our national team to that “next step” is paramount. With names like Guardiola floating around, this coaching search just got incredibly exciting, and every soccer fan in the Emerald City should be watching closely.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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