Key Highlights:
- Manchester United is reportedly targeting Mauricio Pochettino as it seeks to change direction after entering the relegation zone.
- US Soccer is expected to consider Pep Guardiola a leading candidate to replace Pochettino if he leaves the United States national team.
- The United States will face Haiti in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals before the federation begins its next coaching search.
USMNT Coaching Situation Could Change After Concacaf Nations League
The United States men’s national team is entering the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Nations League amid uncertainty over its long-term project toward the 2030 cycle. Mauricio Pochettino remains in charge despite the team’s disappointing results before the 2026 World Cup, where the United States was eliminated in the round of 16.
Pochettino is reportedly the main target of Manchester United as the English club attempts to rebuild a season in which it has reached the relegation zone after 10 matches under Michael Carrick. A potential move to Manchester United could force US Soccer to begin searching for a new head coach, with former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola emerging as a high-profile possibility.
Pep Guardiola Reportedly a Top US Soccer Target
According to The Athletic, “US Soccer is expected to make Pep Guardiola a top target to replace Mauricio Pochettino if the men’s national team coach leaves for Manchester United,” reports the sports outlet of The New York Times.
The report indicates that this would not be the first time US Soccer has considered Guardiola. The federation also included the former Manchester City coach on its list of potential candidates before the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Guardiola has previously expressed interest in the challenge of building a long-term national-team project in the United States. He lived in New York after leaving Barcelona in 2012 and before joining Bayern Munich in 2013.
“The United States is fascinating for trying to build a project over many years and being able to take the national team to the next level. The potential of the United States is there, because of the large number of people and sports,”
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Guardiola made those comments in 2024, underscoring his awareness of the United States’ sporting potential and the scale of the country’s soccer development opportunity.
United States to Face Haiti in Nations League Quarterfinals
The United States is scheduled to play Haiti away next Saturday in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals. Haiti cannot host the match in its own country because of the turbulent political situation, so the fixture will take place in Jamaica. The second leg is scheduled for Tuesday in Cincinnati.
Pochettino is expected to manage both matches. The federation’s search for a new head coach would then begin if the Argentine leaves for Manchester United. US Soccer is not under immediate pressure to make an appointment because the team’s next matches after this FIFA window are not scheduled until March 2027.
Could Rafa Márquez Face Guardiola in Mexico vs. United States?
If Guardiola were appointed by the United States, Rafa Márquez could face his former Barcelona coach for the first time as a national-team manager in a Mexico versus United States match. Márquez and Guardiola worked together at FC Barcelona between 2008 and 2010, during Guardiola’s first years as head coach of Barcelona’s senior team and Márquez’s playing career at the club.
The possibility remains difficult to assess. Guardiola is reportedly interested in taking time to rest, and he rejected an approach from Italy earlier this summer. However, the gap in the United States’ schedule gives US Soccer additional time to pursue a high-profile candidate, with Guardiola among the names linked to the position in reports published Wednesday.
Why This Matters
A possible change from Pochettino to Guardiola would represent a major shift in the United States’ preparation for the 2030 cycle. The federation’s extended window before the next fixtures could allow it to conduct a deliberate search rather than make an immediate appointment, while the outcome of the Nations League quarterfinals may shape the context surrounding Pochettino’s future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why could Mauricio Pochettino leave the United States national team?
Manchester United is reportedly targeting Pochettino as it seeks a new direction after entering the relegation zone under Michael Carrick.
Is Pep Guardiola expected to become the next USMNT coach?
No appointment has been made. The Athletic reports that US Soccer is expected to make Guardiola a top target if Pochettino leaves for Manchester United.
When will the United States play Haiti?
The United States is scheduled to face Haiti away next Saturday in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals, with the second leg set for Tuesday in Cincinnati.
