News

Pochettino Named United States Head Coach

Published

2 months ago

September 11, 2024

Pochettino Named United States Head Coach

Former Tottenham and Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has been named as the new manager of the United States men’s team.

The Argentine replaces Gregg Berhalter, who was sacked in July following the USA’s group-stage elimination from the Copa America.

The announcement came before the US drew 1-1 with New Zealand in an international friendly game in Cincinnati.

Pochettino, 52, said it was an opportunity “I couldn’t pass up”.

“The decision to join US Soccer wasn’t just about football for me; it’s about the journey that this team and this country are on,” he added.

“The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here – those are the things that inspired me.

“I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together we’re going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of.”

US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker led the search for Berhalter’s successor and spent time at Southampton when Pochettino was in charge at St Mary’s.

“Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep passion for player development and a proven ability to build cohesive and competitive teams,” said Crocker.

“His track record speaks for itself, and I am confident that he is the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad.”

Pochettino joined Southampton after a stint at Espanyol before moving on to take charge of Tottenham, leading Spurs to the 2019 Champions League final.

He went on to manage Paris St-Germain and Chelsea, leaving the Blues in May after one season in charge in which they finished sixth in the Premier League.

The United States will co-host the 2026 World Cup along with Canada and Mexico.

They are ranked 16th in the world by Fifa, one place below Euro 2024 quarter-finalists Switzerland.

Pochettino’s appointment means the US men’s and women’s teams are both now managed by former Chelsea bosses, after Emma Hayes took charge of the women’s team earlier this year.

Great opportunity for Pochettino – analysis
Guillem Balague, European football expert and Pochettino biographer

This is a coveted job which has been pursued by big names – with Rafael Benitez among those who saw it as a great opportunity.

The USA national side has talent in some departments – not so much in others – and needs better organisation, which Mauricio Pochettino will be able to put in place.

The Argentine was interviewed in Barcelona by members of USA Soccer including sporting director Matt Crocker, who led the academy at Southampton when Pochettino was first-team boss.

The role was seen as a great opportunity not just because the next World Cup is in the USA, but also because the US manager will help improve processes within the federation to make things run more smoothly.

Pochettino will meet up again with US women’s team boss Emma Hayes, who he enjoyed a good working relationship while they were both at Chelsea – and they will certainly sit down and exchange information in their respective roles.

Pochettino did not want to leave the Blues, but it became clear the club had other ideas. He has rejected other offers since leaving Stamford Bridge in May, but this move felt like the right step to take.

Players at Chelsea were sorry to see him go but the USA job is the perfect vehicle for him to apply his talent in a project that can make him as happy as he was for most of the time at Espanyol, Southampton and Tottenham – and where he can hopefully take the team to the next level.

In my book on Pochettino and his time at Spurs he mentioned the possibility of one day taking charge of an international side, going as far as to say he would relish the chance to coach England one day.

BBC

Author

Ambrose Ijeh

View all posts

News

Lionel Messi Dusts Cristiano Ronaldo In Another World Record

Published

10 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

Lionel Messi Dusts Cristiano Ronaldo In Another World Record

Lionel Messi registered his 58th assist in international football, which is joint-most, as he equalled former United States’ star Landon Donovan’s tally.

Lionel Messi equalled another record in Argentina’s colours as he provided a match-winning assist to Lautaro Martinez in the FIFA World Cup South America qualifier against Peru. It was Messi’s 58th assist in international football, which is joint-most, as he equalled United States men’s national team legend Landon Donovan’s tally.

Messi floated in a cross from the left and Inter Milan’s Martinez leapt into the air, leaning back as he cracked a thundering left-footed volley past Pedro Gallese. It was not a very convincing performance from Argentina or Messi, but they managed to remain on top of the CONMEBOL standings, with their qualification for the 2026 tournament surely just a matter of time.

Argentina lead South American qualifying with 25 points from 12 matches, five points clear of its closest competitor, Uruguay. Ecuador and Colombia are next with 19 points each.

Messi’s former teammate and good friend Neymar is just right behind him with 57 assists in international football representing the Brazil national team. Meanwhile, his arch-rival Crstiano Ronaldo is way behind in the tally with 45 assists in the illustrious career but remains at the top of the goal-scoring charts with 135 goals in 215 appearances.

Meanwhile, with his astonishing strke Martinez has equalled legendary Diego Maradona’s tally of goals in international football. The Argentine great netted 32 goals during his illustrious career and Martinez matched it on Wednesday.

The Inter Milan striker opened up on his performance in Argentina’s last match of the year.

“I’m happy because my whole family came and I always want to give my best. This year was very positive and luckily we closed it with a victory,” Martinez told local TV.

He also talked about Argentina’s year, during which they won the Copa America title, adding another accolade to Messi’s illustrious legacy.

“It was a spectacular year in terms of performance, goals, games played. We have to keep playing and improving day by day.

“Everyone wants to beat us. Argentina’s national team are always the main characters. There are things to improve but we have to continue on this path,” he added.

Author

Ambrose Ijeh

View all posts

News

Arsenal Legend Patrick Vieira Appointed As Genoa Coach

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

Arsenal Legend Patrick Vieira Appointed As Genoa Coach

Patrick Vieira has been appointed as the new boss of Serie A side Genoa.

The former Arsenal and France midfielder has agreed a deal to replace Alberto Gilardino as coach of the Italian club.

Genoa fired Gilardino on Tuesday after a poor start to the season which has left them just a point above the relegation zone.

They moved quickly for Vieira, who had a two-year spell in charge of Crystal Palace and has also managed New York City, Nice and, most recently, Strasbourg.

“Genoa CFC announces that it has entrusted the technical management of the first team to Patrick Vieira,” the club said in a statement.

The 48-year-old will be reunited with his former Manchester City team-mate Mario Balotelli, who left Nice while Vieira was the boss in 2019.

Vieira later admitted the controversial Italian striker was someone he found “difficult to work with”.

Author

Ambrose Ijeh

View all posts

News

Video: Pulisic Does Trump Dance In USA 4-2 Jamaica

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2024

Ambrose Ijeh

Video: Pulisic Does Trump Dance In USA 4-2 Jamaica

AC Milan forward Christian Pulisic is the latest high-profile American athlete to pull out the ‘Donald Trump dance’ while celebrating his opening goal in the USA’s 4-2 victory over Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-finals on Monday night.

The 26-year-old opened the scoring in the second leg of the USMNT’s Nations League quarter0fianl against Jamaica. Juventus’s Timothy Weah netted the hosts’ fourth goal of the game, while Weston McKEnnie and Yunus Musah also lined up as starters.

Pulisic scored after 13 minutes of action, and opted to pull out the viral dance moves of US President-elect Trump during his celebration.

“It’s not a political dance, it was just for fun. I saw a bunch of people do it and I thought it was funny, so I enjoyed it,” the goalscorer said in his post-match interview.