The Mauricio Pochettino-U.S. men’s national team era could soon be coming to an abrupt end.
Premier League side Manchester United reportedly is finalizing a deal to make Pochettino their replacement for Michael Carrick.
Pochettino signed an extension to commit to the U.S. for another World Cup cycle following the 2026 tournament, but the Red Devils are doing their homework before making an official decision.
If Pochettino leaves, the U.S. will be in a tough position. He helped rebuild the culture to make the fanbase believe again, while also giving new and young faces a chance to deliver.
Those key qualities won’t be easy to replace, but there are some options. Let’s break it down:
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B.J. Callaghan, Nashville SC
The best option for the U.S. is currently under contract with MLS side Nashville SC. The American coach has led Nashville to a record-breaking Supporters’ Shield win this season, and the club is expected to at least reach the MLS Cup Final.
Callaghan is key because he’s been the interim head coach before, and the U.S. enjoyed a terrific spell of form and a reignited culture under him post-Gregg Berhalter. But then the U.S. Soccer Federation brought Berhalter back, leaving Callaghan to pursue a new role. If there’s a chance at making a reunion work, the U.S. should definitely try. He probably trumps every other name here.
Pep Guardiola, free agent
Go big or go home? If the U.S. can land a coach of Pochettino’s caliber, it’s worth a shot at going even higher. Guardiola is among soccer’s all-time coaching greats, and he’s currently a free agent after leaving Manchester City this past summer. There were rumors he might take the previously available Italian national team post, but it didn’t come to fruition.
One key factor is whether Guardiola is willing to step back into the coaching world at the moment after a decade-long stint with City. Another is that if the U.S. is a position the Spaniard would want, as he could just wait until Spain has a vacancy. It’s also unclear if his tactics would translate to the international level, and if the U.S. players can grasp its complexities. But it’d no doubt be an intriguing partnership.
Julian Nagelsmann, free agent
Nagelsmann has coached plenty of soccer for someone who is just 39 years old. Hoffenheim made him the youngest Bundesliga coach at just 28 before German giants Bayern Munich secured his talents. He eventually stalled despite having a strong record, but later took on the German national team job. He left the role after a shocking World Cup exit to Paraguay this summer.
For the U.S., Nagelsmann has the credibility and experience to potentially make things work. The German talent pool has been drying up, but he wasn’t afraid to give young players a chance to fit his schemes. His attacking formation is similar to Pochettino’s, but it’s unclear if he’d keep the back-three shape. The U.S. has plenty of soccer history with Germany, and Nagelsmann could be the latest example.
Rudi Garcia, free agent
Garcia, 62, has managed 11 different teams since 1994. Most of those were at club level for the French manager, but he most recently led Belgium until the end of the World Cup. That was when his side blew out the U.S. to eliminate them on home soil in the round of 16. The Red Devils fell to eventual winners Spain 2-1 in the quarterfinals.
He was responsible for trying to salvage a Belgian side losing its “golden generation,” but he did well to integrate new talents while retaining some veterans in Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Leandro Trossard. Belgium decided not to renew his contract after the tournament for a few reasons, but it was still a solid run in his first international role. Is there more room to grow in a job with the U.S.?
Steve Cherundolo, USMNT U-23
If the U.S. wants to go in-house, it does have a candidate possibly fit for the level needed. Cherundolo, 47, won the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup with the U.S. as a player. As a head coach, he led LAFC to the MLS Supporters’ Shield and Cup Final win in 2022.
Cherundolo stepped down in 2025, a season after winning the U.S. Open Cup, citing family reasons. This past summer, he joined the U.S. coaching staff as the under-23 team’s head coach, where he will lead the side through the 2028 Olympics. Those plans could be in jeopardy if he takes the senior team’s role, but the U.S. has time to figure that out if it’s the decision it makes.
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