Top-Notch Poch in as New USMNT Coach
Will Mauricio Pochettino - a high-pressing, youth developing, man-managing, turnarounder-er of underperforming teams be the man to take USMNT to the next level?
Enzo Maresca, who took over as Chelsea’s manager after they potted Pochettino, seems to be having some trouble getting his new charges to adapt to his new playing philosophy:
'It's a problem we are trying to solve from pre-season since day one. One of my first meetings with the squad was about the amount of goals we conceded last year with the defensive line very high,’ he complained after their third pre-season loss in five.
'The problem is defensively. When I say "defensively" I don't just mean the defensive line, but in general, all the players. 'It's a habit. We are not working on defensive lines so high. It's a habit from last year, or years ago, I don't know.’
'We are trying to drop the defensive line a little bit, usually about four or five metres, just to have some advantage. Last year, we already conceded many goals with this problem. Hopefully we can solve it very soon.'
So, if you’re a fan of a high-pressing, attacking style, Poch is your man. He has a bit of an obsession for developing young talent. In fact, it was Pochettino who turned Dele Alli into something of a world beater at Tottenham; and it’s no coincidence Cole Palmer flourished under him last season. He’s always been praised for his man-management skills, with the majority of the young Chelsea squad upset at his departure.
A brief managerial history:
In late January 2009, Pochettino became Espanyol's third coach of the season, taking over a team near the bottom of the table. Despite limited experience, he led them to a mid-table finish, notably defeating Barcelona in their first league derby win at Camp Nou in 27 years.
Pochettino continued to guide Espanyol to respectable finishes until his departure in 2012. His work garnered praise, showcasing his developing coaching style, including a focus on tactical consistency, youth development, and high-pressing football.
He then joined Southampton in 2013, becoming the second Argentine manager in English football. Despite initial language barriers, he led the Saints to an eighth-place finish in his first full season, their highest in a decade.
In 2014, Pochettino moved to Tottenham Hotspur. He led the team to their first Champions League final in 2019, but was sacked later that year due to disappointing domestic results.
In 2021, he took charge of Paris Saint-Germain, winning a Ligue 1 title. However, he parted ways with the club in 2022.
His next stint was with Chelsea in 2023. He led them to the League Cup final but was dismissed after a year due to disagreements with management over strategy and player development.
Internationally, he played for Argentina under Bielsa.
But, the bottom line is, he’s taken every side he’s managed, and not only had success, but reinvented them in the process - PSG notwithstanding.
He could be an excellent appointment. Tell us your thoughts in the comments…
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