ATLANTA (Azat TV) – U.S. Soccer announced on November 13, 2026, that Mauricio Pochettino will step down as the Head Coach of the U.S. Men’s National Team to become the permanent manager of Manchester United. According to SoccerWire, the Argentine coach and his current staff will remain in charge of the USMNT for their upcoming fixtures against Haiti on November 14 and 17 before completing their transition to the Premier League club.
The departure marks the end of a tenure that began in September 2024. During his time in charge, Pochettino guided the national team through 35 matches, securing 21 wins, 12 losses, and two draws. Under his leadership, the United States reached the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup Final and advanced to the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil, finishing first in their group and claiming the program’s first knockout-round victory since 2002.
Program Growth and Transition Plans
U.S. Soccer CEO and Secretary General JT Batson praised the departing manager for establishing clearer connections between the Youth National Teams and the senior squad. During his tenure, Pochettino expanded the player pool significantly, handing senior debuts to 75 players, including 11 under the age of 21 during the most recent international window.
Following the conclusion of the matches against Haiti, Steve Cherundolo will take charge of the team’s previously scheduled December training camp, which will feature a primarily MLS-based roster. Meanwhile, U.S. Soccer leadership—including Batson, Chief Operating Officer Dan Helfrich, Emma Hayes, and Oguchi Onyewu—has initiated the search for a permanent successor.
Leadership Response and Future Outlook
Reflecting on his departure, Pochettino expressed gratitude to the federation and players. “The opportunity to represent the USA crest was one of the greatest honors of my career,” Pochettino stated in remarks published by NPR. “There is tremendous talent in the U.S. player pool from the youth teams through to the senior team, and it’s one of the reasons we have so much belief for the future of U.S. Soccer.”
U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone thanked the coaching staff for their contributions over the past two years and emphasized that the federation’s immediate focus remains on finding the appropriate technical leadership to build upon the program’s recent tournament progress.