Mauricio Pochettino weighs up new long-term contract and giving up Premier League return
The noise doesn’t stop for Mauricio Pochettino.
His United States men’s national team is preparing for a 2026 World Cup round of 32 clash against Bosnia & Herzegovina on Wednesday in Santa Clara, California.
Pochettino could stay in USA and skip Premier League
But while a huge knockout game awaits, Pochettino has also been presented with a potential contract extension from the US Soccer Federation
The 54-year-old was appointed to his USMNT coaching role back in September 2024 on a two-year deal that runs to the end of this summer’s World Cup.
talkSPORT understands that the Argentine has been offered a four-year contract extension which would not only see him take charge of the USMNT’s 2030 World Cup run, but could also see him manage the side at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
US Soccer declined to comment after being approached by talkSPORT.
There are also ongoing talks that the 2028 Copa América could be heading back to the States, which would once again see USMNT compete in the tournament.
According to a report from The Athletic, the initial proposal was made prior to the start of the tournament. But there is an expectation that all parties prefer to make any final decision after USMNT’s campaign at this year’s World Cup has run its course.
But it makes sense for the US Soccer Federation to have already revealed its intentions.
There was increasing speculation that Pochettino could seek a move back into club football, having reportedly held talks with AC Milan following their firing of Max Allegri.
The Serie A giants ultimately chose to move forward with former Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim.
Furthermore, after technical director Matt Crocker abruptly quit his role in favor of a position in Saudi Arabia in April — Pochettino had worked with Crocker at Southampton before coaching USMNT — a potential exit from US Soccer appeared likely.
Pochettino open to extending terms
It has long been assumed that Pochettino hopes to return to the Premier League, where he took charge of both Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, and led the former to its first-ever Champions League final in 2019.
But in recent months, he has hinted that he would be open to extending his stay with the national team, having gotten the best out of his players and started 2-1 in group play.
“Now we’re focused on the World Cup. Then, if we want to stay, we have months to talk, or days or weeks. Because it’s four years until the next World Cup,” Pochettino said on June 23, via USA Today.
With the tournament co-hosts having topped Group D and heading to the knockout stages after two impressive performances against Paraguay and Australia, US Soccer has been impressed by a team exceeding expectations.
Pochettino has also admitted being overwhelmed by the crowds that filled up Los Angeles Stadium for USMNT’s opener, a 4-1 win over Paraguay.
“I didn’t recognize it,” Pochettino said. “That was a complete, I think, different vibe, different energy. The fans were so engaged with us. That was amazing.”
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“For me, that is the most important legacy, the connection between the national team and the fans,” Pochettino added.
“Of course, we want to win. But that is the legacy that we need. … Why not to be part of it?”
The dream of one day returning to the Premier League may not be over for Pochettino, but simply delayed.
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