Could Pep Guardiola Be Next USA Coach? ‘Absolutely Make That Call’

U.S. men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino is gearing up for his first World Cup leading the United States, with their official 26-man roster revealed on May 26 for this summer's 48-team tournament. 

But if Pochettino decides to leave the job after the World Cup, who could fill his shoes? Would U.S. Soccer try and hire another coach with extensive European experience?

There is one candidate that will be continuously brought up among fans and commentators alike.

Pep Guardiola is expected to leave Manchester City to step down from the Premier League squad after 10 years in charge. His next coaching destination, however, is still unknown. 

FOX Sports soccer analyst Alexi Lalas weighed in on how the USA could be a landing spot for Guardiola. 

"If Pep Guardiola is available, you would be dumb not to take a call and sit down and see how he thinks about these things. Mauricio Pochettino, I think he’s going to move on, and he’s going to have some wonderful opportunities," Lalas said on Monday's edition of "Alexi Lala's State of the Union."

Pochettino has led the Stars and Stripes since 2024 and enters his first World Cup as head coach. However, the Argentine has expressed his interest in returning to coach in Europe – having previously led Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. If Pochettino does leave, Lalas tabs Guardiola as a solid option – but notes that the United States may not meet Guardiola’s talent level.

Guardiola’s coaching résumé is one of the best in the business. The Spaniard took over at Barcelona in 2008, leading Lionel Messi and Co. to three La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies. He then headed to Bayern Munich and won the Bundesliga three times. In his 10-year stint with