NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
U.S. Men’s National Team coach Mauricio Pochettino is preparing for his first World Cup in charge of 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 US Soccer try to hire another coach with extensive European experience?
There is one candidate that will continually be 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. However, his next coaching destination is still unknown.
FOX Sports soccer analyst Alexi Lalas considered how the United States could be a landing spot for Guardiola.
“If Pep Guardiola is available, you’d be stupid not to take a call and sit down and see how he thinks about these things. Mauricio Pochettino, I think he’ll move on and he’ll have some wonderful opportunities,” Lalas said on Monday’s edition of “Alexi Lalas State of the Union.”
Pochettino has been in charge of the Stars and Stripes since 2024 and enters his first World Cup as head coach. However, the Argentine has expressed an interest in returning to coaching in Europe – having previously managed Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. If Pochettino leaves, Lalas sees Guardiola as a solid option – but notes that the United States may not meet Guardiola’s talent level.
Guardiola’s coaching CV is one of the best in the business. The Spaniard took over at Barcelona in 2008 and led Lionel Messi and Co. to three La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies. He then went to Bayern Munich and won the Bundesliga three times. In his 10-year stay with Manchester City, he won the Premier League six times in seven years, the League Cup four times, two FA Cups and a 2023 Champions League win.
“For all his success and his intelligence when it comes to the game, he still has to apply it to a very different scenario, both in terms of being international, but also in terms of being a smaller team compared to the elite. Pep has established his greatness, making big teams that much bigger. And the USA is not a great team that he falls into,” said Lalas.
But what makes Guardiola a prime target for America’s next coach?
Guardiola took a one-year hiatus from coaching and moved to New York after his four-year stint with Barcelona. He learned English, spent time with family and even caught a few MLS games. Especially with his reported interest in one day coaching a national team, Lalas sees the United States as a potential landing spot for Guardiola.
“You absolutely make that call, you may even get that call. We know Pep took a sabbatical. Where did he go? He went to the United States. That might appeal to him,” Lalas said.
