sports
Mauricio Pochettino: ‘No one sees the USA as a contender’
The men’s head coach discusses his ‘American dream’ at the World Cup and tempering the host nation’s ‘arrogant’ expectations
TL;DR
- Pochettino's childhood in Santa Fe, Argentina, was shaped by watching the 1978 World Cup and idolizing players like Kempes and Ardiles.
- He sees coaching the US national team, especially as hosts, as a unique and motivating challenge outside his comfort zone.
- Pochettino aims to build the team by fostering a collaborative culture and understanding the US's distinct sporting landscape and cultural idiosyncrasies.
- He believes the US has the potential to become a soccer powerhouse, citing the growth of MLS, the impact of Messi, and the large Latino population.
- Pochettino emphasizes the importance of building an emotional relationship with the game from a young age, contrasting it with a more robotic approach.
- He addresses the US's tendency towards 'arrogance' and the need for balance when competing against nations with a century of football history.
- Pochettino prioritizes building trust with the players and staff, focusing on intellectual capacity and performance rather than imposing his will.
- He views the national team's role as uniting people through the values of football, rather than engaging in political debates or creating further conflict.
- Pochettino believes in creating and chasing dreams, asserting that the 'impossible' can be achieved in football with strong belief.