Manchester United chase Pochettino as US stars stay focused
In Fayetteville, Georgia, USMNT players and officials have become used to frequent reports linking their coach Mauricio Pochettino with major European club jobs. Pochettino’s name was linked with Tottenham Hotspur in 2025, with AC Milan this year, and with other overseas openings since he took over the US team two years ago. Amid Manchester United’s woeful start to the season, the club are reportedly targeting the Argentine manager to return to England.
United’s pursuit and club stature
United’s current manager Michael Carrick is under pressure as the Red Devils sit in the relegation zone. United is regarded as one of the most prestigious brands in not just soccer but all of sport. Pochettino has also previously managed Paris Saint‑Germain.
USMNT training and upcoming fixtures
Neither Pochettino nor the US Soccer Federation has commented on the United report. The US squad is two days into training at the national centre near Atlanta, preparing for the CONCACAF Nations League quarter‑finals against Haiti. The first leg will be played on Saturday in Miami and the second leg on the following Tuesday in Cincinnati. Despite the speculation, Pochettino remains focused on the upcoming Haiti games.
Veteran left back Antonee Robinson and 17‑year‑old forward Cavan Sullivan addressed the rumours before Tuesday’s practice. Robinson said the news arrived like the rest of the world and that having a manager linked with big jobs makes them feel lucky to work with a top‑level coach. He added that such news never leaks into their work, calling it “outside noise” and noting the coach stays focused on getting the best out of the team. Pochettino, 54, re‑signed with the US team after the summer World Cup, signing a contract that runs through the 2030 tournament. Any club interested would have to meet a multimillion‑dollar buyout clause with the US Soccer Federation.
Coaching change history and player reactions
The USSF believes the start of a World Cup cycle is the optimal time for a coaching change, allowing a new manager to build relationships before major competitions. However, a change close to a World Cup is problematic; previous US coaches Jurgen Klinsmann and Gregg Berhalter each saw their tenures end after disappointing tournaments. Klinsmann’s second term after the 2014 World Cup left Bruce Arena with less than a year to rebuild, and the United States missed the 2018 World Cup, ending a run of seven consecutive appearances.
Berhalter’s second stint after the 2022 World Cup ended following the 2024 Copa America disappointment. Pochettino then had roughly a year to reshape the squad and another six months to prepare for the home‑soil World Cup last summer. The United States aimed for the quarter‑finals, won their group, but were eliminated in the Round of 16.
USSF hopes a full term under Pochettino will help the team break through at the 2030 World Cup, which will be staged across three continents. Pochettino’s promotion of young players like Sullivan and other teenagers is intended to secure long‑term success. Robinson said the Manchester United rumours have not distracted the squad, describing players as accustomed to fast‑changing environments and focused on the next task.
Sullivan, 17, praised Pochettino for taking him under his wing, encouraging him to play freely while maintaining high standards for everyone. Sullivan became the youngest goal scorer in US programme history after being invited to his first senior camp earlier this fall for four friendlies.