Teamwork makes the dream work

Why Mauricio Pochettino’s résumé is healthier than any USMNT supervisor ever

19


Based on stories which have been confirmed by FOX Sports activities’ Doug McIntyre, Mauricio Pochettino is anticipated to be the brand new coach of the U.S. males’s nationwide staff.

The 52-year-old most not too long ago led Chelsea to a sixth place end within the English Premier League, and previously was the supervisor at Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham, Southampton, and Espanyol. Pochettino has been a head coach since 2009, however this shall be his first probability to guide a nationwide staff.

FOX Sports activities Analysis broke down the résumé of every of the earlier 5 managers of the USMNT to focus on simply how prestigious Pochettino’s background is compared. 

Let’s have a look:  

Gregg Berhalter (2018-24)

It is not typically that coaches are fired, re-hired, after which fired once more by the identical staff — however this was the case for Gregg Berhalter and the nationwide staff. Whereas he did end his managerial profession with a 68.2% win charge (44-17-13, W-L-D) — the best of any supervisor within the staff’s historical past (min. 20 video games coaches) — Berhalter failed to guide the U.S. to the knockout levels of this previous Copa América, and his staff was eradicated by the Netherlands, 3-1, within the Spherical of 16 on the 2022 World Cup. 

The previous was notably damning, because the U.S. turned the primary host nation to not advance to the knockout stage of Copa América for the reason that group stage was launched in 1975. Coming into that event, the U.S. had not been eradicated from the group stage in 19 earlier continental and world tournaments performed at dwelling. Berhalter additionally was simply 2-6-7 (W-L-D) vs. prime 25 groups when excluding Mexico, and 0-5-5 (W-L-D) in opposition to prime 15 groups when once more excluding continental rivals.

On the membership stage, Berhalter coached at Columbus Crew and Hammarby, the latter being a Swedish membership. He had simply 92 wins in 239 matches coached between the 2 groups.

Bruce Enviornment (1998-2006, 2016-17)

No supervisor within the staff’s historical past has coached extra matches than Bruce Enviornment, who compiled a file of 81-32-35 (W-L-D). His 66.6% win charge is the second-highest ever behind Berhalter (min. 20 video games coached), and he additionally led the staff to its finest end on the World Cup ever — reaching the quarterfinals in 2002 earlier than shedding to Germany. Whereas these accolades arguably make him probably the most profitable coach in U.S. historical past, he by no means coached outdoors of MLS (DC United, New York Crimson Bulls, LA Galaxy, New England Revolution) and likewise led the staff to a last-place end of their group on the 2006 World Cup.

Jurgen Klinsmann (2011-16)

Klinsmann was an thrilling rent who had unimaginable success as each a participant and a supervisor earlier than taking the USMNT job in 2011. He performed for powerhouse golf equipment like Inter Milan, Tottenham, and Bayern Munich earlier than turning into the supervisor of the German nationwide staff from 2004 to 2006. On the 2006 World Cup, he led his nation to a semifinal end because the host nation. After Germany declined to resume his contract, Klinsmann joined Bayern Munich, however he was fired with 5 matches remaining within the season. For perspective, Munich received the league within the seasons previous to his arrival and following his departure.

He’d go on to guide the USMNT to a 55-27-16 (W-L-D) file, with a Spherical of 16 loss to Belgium within the 2014 World Cup. In 2015, he’d cause them to a fourth-place end on the Gold Cup, a run that included losses to Jamaica and Panama. On the 2016 Copa América, the U.S. would lose 4-0 to Argentina within the semifinals. The most important disappointment would ensue simply months later, when the staff misplaced 2-1 at dwelling to Mexico and 4-0 to Costa Rica in World Cup qualification — resulting in his firing in November of that 12 months. The U.S. didn’t qualify for the 2018 World Cup after this efficiency.

Klinsmann’s following stops included Hertha BSC, the place he was fired after simply 10 weeks, and the South Korean nationwide staff, who dismissed him after 18 matches. The Korean Soccer Affiliation president said, “Coach Klinsmann didn’t show management that we anticipated from the nationwide staff coach, together with sport administration, participant administration and work angle, which elevate the competitiveness of the nationwide staff.”

Bob Bradley (2007-11)

Bradley is the third and closing coach to have a successful share over 60% (43-25-12, W-L-D) for the USMNT (min. 20 video games coached), becoming a member of Berhalter and Klinsmann. His tenure is highlighted by a Spherical of 16 look on the 2010 World Cup (shedding to Ghana), but in addition marred by a final place group end on the 2007 Copa América and a loss within the closing to Mexico on the 2009 Gold Cup. He additionally coached the 2011 Gold Cup closing, the place the U.S. turned a 2-0 lead in opposition to Mexico right into a 4-2 defeat. 

His stops on the membership stage embody the Chicago Fireplace, MetroStars, Chivas USA, Los Angeles FC, and Toronto FC. He’s a three-time MLS Coach of the Yr, however by no means discovered related success at his European jobs (Stabæk, Le Havre, Swansea Metropolis). Bradley additionally coached the Egyptian nationwide staff, the place he was relieved of his duties after 36 matches. 

Steve Sampson (1995-98)

Steve Sampson went 26-22-14 (W-L-D) as the pinnacle coach of the USMNT, highlighted by a semifinal end within the 1995 Copa América. On the 1998 World Cup, nevertheless, the squad completed final in its group underneath his steering. That very same 12 months, the U.S. misplaced to Mexico within the closing on the Gold Cup. Sampson would go on to educate the Costa Rican nationwide staff and the Los Angeles Galaxy, with every cease being a brief stint.

Mauricio Pochettino 

And now, the Pochettino period will begin. The distinction between his résumé and the others on this listing is stark. A participant for Paris Saint-Germain and Espanyol, he’d find yourself taking the pinnacle teaching job at each of these stops afterward. At Espanyol, his first ever managerial place, he struggled — going 53-70-38 (W-L-D) in La Liga. Nevertheless, in January of 2013, he joined Southampton in the midst of the season and led it to very large wins over Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester Metropolis — the reigning champions on the time.

In his first full season at Southampton, he led the staff to an eighth place end within the Premier League, its finest end for the reason that 2002-03 season. He additionally tied the membership file for many factors in a single season within the EPL. Shortly after his success at Southampton (completed 23-19-19, W-L-D), Pochettino joined Tottenham, the place he amassed a whopping 159-72-62 file in 5 seasons.

His time with the Spurs was highlighted by a Champions League runner-up end within the 2018-19 season, and he received the London Soccer Awards Supervisor of the Yr that very same 12 months. Tottenham by no means completed worse than fifth within the EPL throughout his 5 full seasons there, together with three top-three finishes. 

Pochettino’s subsequent cease would come at French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain, the place he skilled probably the most success. Pochettino led PSG to a 55-14-15 (W-L-D) file and received three trophies — the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France, and the Trophée des Champions. In 2023, he ended up at Chelsea, main the membership to sixth place within the desk after a disastrous Twelfth-place end within the earlier season. He went 26-14-11 (W-L-D) in all competitions with the Blues, and likewise earned a runner-up end on the EFL Cup that 12 months. 

Pochettino has additionally coached many high-level superstars. From Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Kieran Trippier and Achraf Hakimi, to Kylian Mbappé, Neymar, and Lionel Messi — he is overseen a set of expertise that no U.S. supervisor has ever come near teaching. All in all, the veteran Argentine has coached in matches and molded gamers at a stage that’s unmatched by another USMNT coach.


Get extra from United States Observe your favorites to get details about video games, information and extra