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Manager Mauricio Pochettino is set to lead the United States Men’s National Team into battle at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first on U.S. soil in over three decades. But according to reports, Pochettino might already have shifted his focus elsewhere.
The Argentinian, who previously spent his entire managerial career at the club level, took over the USMNT after the team parted ways with Gregg Berhalter in 2024.
Now it appears that the 54-year-old is already planning a return to coaching club soccer after his stint with the U.S. ends, seemingly this summer.
Italian reporter Nicolo Schira posted on X claiming that Pochettino will leave the USMNT following the World Cup and that his representation has already met with legendary Italian club AC Milan to offer him up for its vacant managerial role.
Mauricio #Pochettino will leave #USA National Team after the World Cup. He has been offered to #ACMilan by an intermediary in the last hours. #transfers
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) May 27, 2026
Further reporting from James Horncastle of The Athletic backed up Schira’s post as well.
Mauricio Pochettino Set To Ditch USMNT For AC Milan
According to Horncastle, Pochettino has been negotiating with Milan since well before the start of the World Cup.
“The meeting took place last week ahead of the USMNT’s World Cup camp in Georgia,” he reports. Pochettino’s contract with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), signed in 2024, expires after this summer’s World Cup on home soil.”
While Pochettino, who had previous stints with Tottenham, PSG, and Chelsea, was always seen as a short-term fix for the USMNT, it’s still surprising to see him focusing on his future before the World Cup even begins.
“In football, logic rarely holds. There are no mathematical equations to predict a result. That’s also why it’s the most beautiful sport in the world — because it can be unjust. It’s about being competitive, but also mastering the emotional factors. It’s a good blend of the logical and the illogical, the rational and the irrational,” Pochettino said of the USMNT’s World Cup chances in March.
“Starting from the principle that we have a quality group with a strong mentality and the support of the home crowd, everything is in place to generate positive energy and attempt what South Korea and Morocco achieved in 2002 and 2022.”
Unfortunately for fans, it appears that they’ll have to hope the U.S. makes a deep World Cup run with a manager who already has one foot out the door.