Spend any time around US men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino and you’ll likely notice a medallion hanging from a bracelet on his right wrist. It is emblazoned with an engraving of Saint Christopher, the patron saint of travelers.
It’s a detail that feels appropriate for Pochettino, or any high-level manager, really, all of whom are inherently nomadic. The Argentinian has enjoyed stability at a handful of stops but has also done his share of moving, having shepherded five different clubs prior to his arrival in the United States about 22 months ago.
At the time, he was very much perceived as a short-term hire, an experienced, big-name coach brought in to help build excitement and ensure a respectable performance ahead of a home World Cup. The US were subsequently eliminated in the last 16, as they have been in their previous three appearances. It was not all bad – the US were unquestionably entertaining until their 4-1 crashout – but in the end, it was the same old song and dance.
Which raises fresh questions about Pochettino’s future, already a point of discussion in recent weeks. Pochettino and his representatives have been actively engaged in talks with US Soccer, with the federation having extended an offer ahead of the World Cup.
In the days leading up to the tournament, both sides suggested they’d wait til after the World Cup to make any decisions. That time has now come, and Pochettino addressed his future to the assembled media after the US’s elimination on Monday.
“I think now it’s about resting a little bit,” Pochettino said. “To think, to have conversation and then to see what the decision is from the federation and from us. But I am so happy, we have built a very good relationship, but now is not a moment to talk about that. I think now is a moment to sit, to assess the tournament and for sure in the next weeks, we can start to talk – if the federation wants to talk.”
Though Pochettino did not offer anything conclusive in regards to his future with the US, he did do his best to lobby for his body of work, suggesting the US had steadily improved under his direction.
“With good things and not so good things,” Pochettino said when asked for his thoughts by the Guardian, “it was amazing, this journey. It still hasn’t been two years working here. And we all know that a process is about a four-year cycle. Today I think we closed the chapter about assessing players, playing in that competition that is so difficult. I think now we have a complete assessment from a lot of players, and if we commit to be here in the future, we have a clear idea of our decisions for the future – before it was very difficult.”
Pochettino, as he has done in the past, also cited the state of the program on his arrival as a reference point for the progress he and his staff have made during their stay.
“All the circumstances that you know were so difficult to manage,” Pochettino said, “In terms of the legacy, with or without us, the legacy on the group of players and the group of staff is the perfect mindset [they have] now. It is amazing to keep growing. I don’t think the difficult job is done, but we settled the principles for the future, to be very successful. I know that when we took charge, that job, it was really tough in the way we found the situation.”
On Tuesday, US Soccer said in a statement: “We had positive conversations with Mauricio before the World Cup about the future. We agreed we would continue those conversations following a chance to rest and reflect post World Cup. We have a great deal of respect and gratitude for Mauricio, his staff and everyone part of the program. We have shared excitement about our potential and also shared clarity about the amount of work at all levels still required to achieve our ambition.”
Many US supporters have grown fond of Pochettino, as much for his candor as anything else. After a slow start, he proved an effective hype man for the US men, seemingly growing into that part of the job as he went along. He is generally liked by players and staff but has had his struggles, as well, at times finding it difficult to adapt to the differing level of importance placed on the sport of soccer in the US. By and large, he has made incremental progress.
It is entirely possible that Pochettino, who had never coached a national team prior to accepting the US gig, fancies a return to club soccer. It also is entirely possible that he feels inclined to build on the progress he’s made in America. There should be some clarity in the coming weeks.
“I think in our opinion, we feel proud [of this World Cup],” said Pochettino, “We feel proud with our staff, with our players, that I think we created something that is going to stay in that federation and in this country.”
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