Mauricio Pochettino faces trickiest career challenge as USMNT coach

Former Chelsea boss must build trust with his squad quickly before a home World Cup in 2026, but time is working against him

When the US men's national team players are introduced to Mauricio Pochettino, they will meet a coach unlike any the US has had in program history.

Pochettino, officially appointed on Tuesday, boasts an impressive coaching resume involving some of the biggest clubs and players in European football, and has no history anywhere within the US soccer system. His profile is immense, yet his working style will be unfamiliar. The desire to find out what the new boss is like will probably color the players' early interactions, down to the very first handshake.