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US men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino is preparing for his first World Cup coaching the United States, and his official 26-player roster for this summer’s 48-team tournament was revealed on May 26.
But if Pochettino decides to step down after the World Cup, who could take his place? Would US Soccer try to hire another coach with extensive European experience?
There is one candidate who will continually be mentioned among fans and commentators alike.
Pep Guardiola is expected to leave Manchester City for the Premier League side after 10 years in charge. However, his next destination as a coach is still unknown.
FOX Sports soccer analyst Alexi Lalas weighed in on how the United States could be a landing spot for Guardiola.
“If Pep Guardiola is available, it would be foolish not to take a call and sit down and see how he thinks about these things. Mauricio Pochettino, I think he’s going to move on and have some wonderful opportunities,” Lalas said on Monday’s edition of “Alexi Lala’s State of the Union.”
Pochettino has led the Stars and Stripes since 2024 and reaches his first World Cup as head coach. However, the Argentine has expressed his interest in coaching in Europe again, having previously managed Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. If Pochettino leaves, Lalas considers Guardiola a solid option, but notes that the United States may not reach Guardiola’s talent level.
Guardiola’s resume as a coach is one of the best in the sector. The Spaniard took over at Barcelona in 2008, leading Lionel Messi and company to three La Liga titles and two Champions League trophies. He then signed for Bayern Munich and won the Bundesliga three times. In his 10 years with Manchester City, he won the Premier League six times in seven years, the League Cup four times, two FA Cups and a Champions League victory in 2023.
“For all his success and his intelligence when it comes to the game, he still has to apply it in a very different setting, both in terms of being international, but also in terms of being a lesser team relative to the elites. Pep has established his greatness, making great teams much bigger. And the United States is not a great team that he is falling into,” Lalas said.
But what makes Guardiola a priority target for the next United States coach?
Guardiola took a year-long break from coaching and moved to New York after his four-year stint with Barcelona. He learned English, spent time with family and even watched some MLS games. Especially with his interest in one day coaching a national team, Lalas considers the United States as a possible landing spot for Guardiola.
“You absolutely make that call, you might even get that call. We know that Pep took a year off. Where did he go? He went to the United States. He might find it attractive,” Lalas said.
