Pochettino's confidence and ambition were on full display in his introductory USMNT news conference
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Nearly a month after reportedly agreeing to take the job, Mauricio Pochettino finally arrived and was introduced Friday as the new U.S. men's national team coach in his first news conference in New York City's Hudson Yards.
“I am really happy to be here, because I think it’s an amazing project and challenge that we have ahead," Pochettino said. "I am so excited, I am so happy.”
U.S. Soccer had officially announced that it had hired Pochettino to replace the fired Gregg Berhalter Tuesday, less than 30 minutes before the USMNT played New Zealand in the second of two friendlies – they drew that match 1-1 after losing to Canada 2-1 on Saturday.
Pochettino wasn't at either match, but said Friday that he watched both and is eager to restore hope for a USMNT that crashed out of the Copa America and is less than two years away from hosting the 2026 World Cup, saying "If we believe all together we will achieve."
The excitement for the official unveiling was palpable, with USSF president Cindy Parlow Cone saying, “This is a monumental day for U.S. Soccer."
Here are five takeaways from Pochettino's inaugural comments as the new USMNT coach.
Embracing America
From Pochettino's opening comment, the veteran coach was confident and appeared genuine about the opportunity to jump into international management and to do so with the U.S.
"It was a dream for us," Pochettino said. "It is true that many years ago we start thinking about trying to manage a national team. Obviously, USA was on our list for many reasons… I'm so happy, I hope we can [put] on a great show here."
He added, "Our initiative is always to win, respect our values and try to evolve."
Pochettino stressed that he wants to build a playing style that aligns with America's identity as a country. In Pochettino's mind, that means playing on the front foot.
"We are in the USA, I think to convince our fans, it's about showing attractive football. Aesthetic is really important," Pochettino said. "We want to play nice football, good football, exciting football, attacking football."
The manager referenced American culture, especially sports, throughout his answers.
"You know USA have great athletes, you know the sport, it's a winning, winning future, winning mentality," Pochettino said. "In soccer, we need to be inspired by the many sports we have here."
He also pointed to the instant success of USWNT coach Emma Hayes. Just weeks after officially taking the job, Hayes led the U.S. to its fifth Olympic gold medal at the Paris Games.
"Emma for me is the best coach in the world… and the women’s team in history has won everything," said Pochettino, who like Hayes recently coached at Chelsea. "That’s what we need to match here.”
AdvertisementLoose, but needs some adjustment
If there was one thing that was very apparent, it was Pochettino's looseness. Here's a man who is in a country he's never managed before or likely lived in, interacting with media — most of whom he hasn't met previously. Yet, he was unflappable, showing some swagger. Even in instances in which aspects of a question were lost in translation, Pochettino was cool, chill and relaxed.
"We are here because we want to win. We are winners," Pochettino said with confidence. "We are successful, very successful coaching staff."
It's bravado that is earned after largely successful stops at Southampton, Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, with a 51.7 percent win rate at those clubs.
Though he appeared to be more confident speaking in his native Spanish, there was an assured nature that was evident from the start of the conference.
He even managed to joke with GOAL US writer Ryan Tolmich after a question about all of the speculation and then ensuing delays prior to his official arrival.
"I'm happy and I hope you're happy too," he said with a laugh.
GettyDefining culture
Earlier this week, alarm bells were sounded after USMNT star Christian Pulisic said he hoped Pochettino brings a "culture that is willing to fight, that is willing to take risks."
As a result, a lot of the questions Friday were centered about the changes he would bring to the team from a culture standpoint.
Rather than have a preset expectation, Pochettino said his priority is instilling belief.
"We need to believe in big things," Pochettino said. "We need to believe that we can not just win one game, but the World Cup."
He said that he will be direct with his players and is aiming to kick off conversations with his team to learn more about the squad. When pressed on Pulisic point, Pochettino said that he understood the winger's frustrations and promised a higher level of intensity under his watch.
"The most important thing is to create something special," Pochettino said. "To feel something when you arrive to the national team… It's not because they just called me and we're going to play. We are going to compete. And competing is completely different than coming to play."
Dealing with limited window
Pochettino was asked about having just 10 international windows to prepare the Americans in advance the World Cup, which will kickoff in June 2026 in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The Argentine confidently snapped his fingers and said "Football is like this."
Pochettino then scoffed at the notion that he won't have enough time to implement his strategy and approach, saying confidently "we have time."
"I think everyone thinks that there is no time to prepare and to arrive in our condition to the World Cup," he said. "What I want to tell you that I am in the opposite side. I believe that there is time enough. I don't want to make an excuse and don't want to create an excuse for the player to say, 'Well, yeah, we don't have time to buy into the new idea, the new philosophy, the new football'.
"I think the players are so intelligent and so talented, and they can, I think, play in a different way. For sure, I think we have time. We have time, and we need to really believe in seeing big things. We need to believe that we can win. We need to believe that we can win the World Cup."
Pochettino did mention that he and his coaching staff will need to be "clever" in the way they communicate things to the national team. He later stressed that he isn't going to treat exhibition matches as friendlies, as his aim is to raise intensity to ensure the proper preparation is in place.
"Friendlies aren't friendlies," Pochettino said. "Show your best for your country… that is everything."
He added, "We want all players that arrive Day 1 in training camp to think big."