US Soccer give statement on Mauricio Pochettino’s future hours after World Cup exit

Mauricio Pochettino will hold talks over his future as USMNT boss in the coming weeks.

Co-hosts USA were dumped out of the World Cup in the last-16 with a 4-1 hammering by Belgium on Monday.

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Pochettino’s current contract expires upon the conclusion of the tournament.

A statement from US Soccer has been released hours after the nation’s heavy defeat, clarifying Pochettino’s position as head coach.

“We had positive conversations with Mauricio before the World Cup about the future,” it read.

“We agreed we would continue those conversations following a chance to rest and reflect post World Cup.

“We have a great deal of respect and gratitude for Mauricio, his staff and everyone part of the program.

“We have shared excitement about our potential and also shared clarity about the amount of work at all levels still required to achieve our ambition.”

What next?

Ex-Tottenham and Chelsea manager Pochettino has been weighing up whether to commit his future to the American national team.

talkSPORT understands the 54-year-old has been offered a four-year extension which would take him through to the 2030 World Cup.

Pochettino has been linked with a return to club football and he is thought to be keen on managing in the Premier League once again.

talkSPORT’s Ben Jacobs revealed earlier on Tuesday that Pochettino is likely to move on.

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“Poch’s contract is up and the expectation is that he will go because he’s been meeting with and flirting with club jobs including Milan,” Jacobs said.

“But that’s now gone to Ruben Amorim and that was only two-three weeks before the tournament.

“My feeling is that if Thomas Tuchel left England – it’s not looking likely now because they did amazing against Mexico – but that would be a job that he [Pochettino] would quite like.

“So don’t rule out him seeking job opportunities in international as well as domestic football.

“And Pochettino still has a place in London – he loves it there and he’s got unfinished business with the Premier League.”

What has Poch said?

The USA boss had no excuses after his side limped out of the tournament with a dismal display against the Red Devils.

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Build-up to the game was dominated by the availability of Folarin Balogun, whose red card suspension was pushed back by FIFA after an intervention from president Donald Trump.

“I think we were not good enough, it wasn’t our day,” Pochettino reflected afterwards.

“We didn’t perform in the way that we were supposed to perform, or show our quality.

“Everyone saw from the beginning that we did not connect with the game. We were never in the game, even when we scored the goal [to equalize], we conceded in the next action. It was really tough from the beginning.

“Congratulations to Belgium, they were better than us. It’s not to find excuses, we didn’t show what we normally showed. That is the reality.”