U.S. Soccer officially names Mauricio Pochettino as USMNT coach

CINCINNATI — Mauricio Pochettino is officially the head coach of the United States men's national soccer team.

More than three weeks after FOX Sports confirmed multiple European media reports that the highly regarded former Chelsea, Paris Saint Germain and Tottenham manager had agreed to succeed Gregg Berhalter at the helm of USMNT, the U.S. Soccer Federation on Tuesday formally announced the hiring of the 52-year-old Argentine.

"The decision to join U.S. Soccer wasn't just about football for me; it's about the journey that this team and this country are on," Pochettino said in a press release. "The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here — those are the things that inspired me. The opportunity to lead the U.S. men's national team, in front of fans who are just as passionate as the players, is something I couldn't pass up. I see a group of players full of talent and potential. And together, we're going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of." 

Pochettino will travel to New York City on Thursday. He will be formally introduced at a news conference in Manhattan on Friday morning.

Pochettino is the second high-profile, highly-decorated former Chelsea manager that Matt Crocker, U.S. Soccer's sporting director, has hired in the last 10 months. Emma Hayes left Chelsea Women for the U.S. women's national team last November. The London native  promptly led the USWNT to its fifth Olympic gold meal, beating Brazil in the final at this summer's Paris Games in just her 10th game in the job.

"Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep passion for player development and a proven ability to build cohesive and competitive teams," Crocker said. "His track record speaks for