Mauricio Pochettino has confronted early criticism after struggling his first defeat as supervisor of the USA nationwide crew over the worldwide break, with American followers labelling the previous Chelsea and Tottenham man a ‘fraud’.
The Argentine supervisor was appointed as Gregg Berhalter’s eventual successor, with the latter departing in latest months after six years accountable for the USMNT, finally failing to ship on an thrilling technology of younger American expertise.
Pochettino ‘s arrival marks what many anticipate to be a turning level in American soccer historical past, with all eyes targeted on the 2026 World Cup , set to be hosted largely within the States.
United States coach Mauricio Pochettino faces early criticism following defeat
Pochettino is likely one of the most highly-regarded managers on the planet. (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
Pochettino kicked off his time accountable for the USMNT with a snug win over Panama earlier than heading to Guadalajara to face rivals Mexico in a pleasant with followers optimistic about their probabilities underneath the brand new boss.
Nevertheless, Pochettino’s facet got here out second finest in a 2-0 defeat, fully outplayed by their southern neighbours and seemingly unable to create any significant probabilities towards the Mexico backline.
The USMNT failed to achieve the knockout levels of this 12 months’s Copa America (Picture credit score: Getty Photographs)
The USA facet was near full energy, with Premier League stars Antonee Robinson and Matt Turner main a facet boasting expertise from throughout Europe’s high 5 leagues, solely including salt to the Argentine’s wounds.
Social media was fast to criticise the 52-year-old, with one fan asking “How did we worsen underneath Pochettino?”
One other USMNT fan wrote: “F*** the USSD, f*** Pochettino, and f*** whoever made the decision to ship our greatest gamers residence towards our largest rivals.”
Sports activities Illustrated known as for calm following the sport, insisting that Pochettino’s job was to rid the facet of dangerous habits picked up throughout Berhalter’s reign whereas additionally calling into query the extent of ‘battle and self-discipline’ displayed by the gamers out on the sphere, describing Pochettino’s job as ‘an uphill battle’.
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The USMNT might be again in motion in round a month as they tackle a rejuvenated Jamaica facet within the quarter-finals of the CONCACAF Nations League earlier than preparations for the World Cup start ramping up.
Pochettino’s full-time message featured a plea for persistence, telling reporters: “Give us time, allow us to consider all of the gamers, have them, know them, and from there I gives you a greater opinion about what’s way more elementary than what I see.”
