United States Men’s National Team new head coach Mauricio Pochettino has declared his ambition to achieve World Cup glory with his team come 2026, Soccernet.football reports.
The United States will be one of three hosts two years from now and Pochettino, who assumed the role as USMNT manager on Tuesday, has already set his sights on taking the co-hosts all the way.
Pochettino has previously enjoyed relatively successful stints at Tottenham and Paris Saint-Germain, guiding the former to a Champions League final. However, he only managed a sixth-place finish in the Premier League during his sole season at Stamford Bridge.
Now testing new waters with his first gig on the international scene, the Argentine believes that his players not only have to embrace a winning mentality during matches, but also harbour ambitions of winning football’s biggest prize.
“We need to believe in big things that we can win, not only a game but the World Cup,” Pochettino said.
“If we don’t, the journey will be difficult. We have to think big. That is the only way to put your talent in the service of the team. It is a massive challenge.”
Pochettino was also full of praise for the USA women’s national team and their manager Emma Hayes, who he knows from the period they both managed Chelsea’s senior teams. Hayes led the women’s team to glory in her first tournament at the helm and Pochettino is looking to match this success.
“In Emma, we have the best coach in the world,” said Pochettino.
“The women’s team has won everything. We need to match them. They need to be our inspiration, not only with results but in the way they create the philosophy to defend the country, the badge and the culture.
“We want to create something special.”
Pochettino’s first appearance in the USMNT dugout will come in a friendly match against Panama at the Q2 Stadium in Austin on October 12.