Pochettino’s Future Clouds U.S. Soccer’s Search for a Successor
Mauricio pochettino’s future with the USMNT beyond the World Cup remains unclear, and there is no imminent extension in place. He has suggested he could stay, but his open flirtation with Premier League opportunities over the past year has left U.S. Soccer facing a possible coaching search by the end of the summer.
B.J. Callaghan’s case
B.J. Callaghan is the presumptive favorite if the job opens. He knows the program from his time as an assistant on Gregg Berhalter’s staff, and his short run in charge produced seven unbeaten games, four wins, and the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League.
Callaghan also made history in his debut fixture, becoming the first USMNT manager since 1934 to beat Mexico. Since then, he has added another line to his résumé at Nashville SC, where he won the Open Cup in 2025 and has the club among the best teams in the East this year.
Klopp and Bradley
Jürgen Klopp was the first call Matt Crocker made in 2024 when U.S. Soccer tried to appoint a new manager. Klopp said no because he needed a break after leaving Liverpool at the end of the 2023-24 campaign, and he later said he might never coach again.
Klopp now holds a prominent role in the Red Bull organization as its Head of Global Soccer, and another job in England or Germany looks highly unlikely. Spain would be a surprise destination, which leaves national team management as one of the few paths still open. Julian Nagelsmann is already in charge of Germany, while Thomas Tuchel has signed a long-term deal to stay with England.
Michael Bradley’s path
Michael Bradley is also in the mix. He is widely expected to coach the USMNT someday, and his playing career at a high level for the United States keeps him in the conversation if U.S. Soccer turns to a new voice after the World Cup.
That leaves Pochettino at the center of the decision. He has coached Tottenham, PSG, and Chelsea, but the question now is whether he stays long enough to avoid forcing another search or walks away and sends U.S. Soccer back into the market by the end of the summer.
