Tearful Pochettino on USMNT exit: Toughest decision of my career

An emotional Mauricio Pochettino confirmed Friday that he will leave his position as United States men's national team coach Tuesday to manage Manchester United with Steve Cherundolo taking over the December camp.

Pochettino will stay on to take charge of the USMNT's two Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal games against Haiti, on Saturday and Tuesday, before traveling to Manchester. Cherundolo, who has been coaching the under-23 squad, will lead the team's previously scheduled December camp featuring a primarily MLS-based roster.

Pochettino signed a 2½-year contract at Old Trafford after finalizing an agreement Thursday.

"It's the most difficult decision of my career, but we need to move forward," he told reporters through tears Friday, adding that he believed that the U.S. players supported his decision to leave. "They know that not too many opportunities happen in your career like Manchester United. When it arrives, it's difficult to turn down."

U.S. Soccer did not immediately name a replacement for Pochettino, but in a news release said that U.S. women's national team coach Emma Hayes will be among those involved in the search along with federation leadership. That includes CEO and secretary general JT Batson, chief operating officer Dan Helfrich and vice president for sporting Oguchi Onyewu, "drawing on input from leaders across U.S. Soccer and the global soccer landscape."

The Argentine leaves the U.S. team just over three months after renewing a contract that would have seen him through to the 2030 World Cup. His deal included a release clause that will see Manchester United pay the USSF around $10 million. 

He signed on as U.S. coach in September 2024, taking over for Gregg Berhalter, and led the Americans into the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup.

Flanked by Batson and federation president Cindy Parlow Cone at Friday's news conference, Pochettino said: "A big thank you for my heart and my people because you always were transparent, and you always put in front the interest of the federation [first]," Pochettino said. "But always trying to build some team together, and we really enjoy it. So we learn a lot from you, from you all, from this country, [these] amazing people."

Pochettino noted that usually the tears come when a coach gets fired but that this was a different case.

"When you arrive [at] this type of moment, always are tough moments because [these] are not easy decisions," he said. "Normally, it's the opposite. You will [get] sacked and you cry because you want to stay.

"That is opposite. Like I said before, it's really tough decision, but in the same time we are exciting for that step forward."

Pochettino departs the team having compiled a record of 21-12-2. At the 2026 World Cup, the U.S. finished first in its World Cup group and earned its first knockout round victory since 2002.

With three victories during the tournament, Pochettino recorded the most World Cup wins of any head coach in U.S. men's team history.

The move sees Pochettino return to the Premier League, having previously managed Southampton from 2013 to 2014, Tottenham Hotspur from 2014 to 2019 and Chelsea during the 2023-24 campaign.

He said that in terms of Manchester United's interest, things happened quickly, with negotiations accelerating Sunday.

He said he kept U.S. Soccer informed at all times. But Pochettino declined to go into much detail about Manchester United and what lies ahead.

"It's not the moment to talk [about Manchester United]. It's the moment to be committed like always," Pochettino said of the Americans' upcoming matches against Haiti.

"We are and care because we really care, and always we are going to care about the federation and the players and all the people that is here is to be focused in the next two game because it's really important for the federation. The players, they are amazing, and they know how to manage this type of situation."