United States men`s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino has refuted claims that he interviewed for the vacant managerial position at Premier League club Brentford. According to Fox Sports, Pochettino addressed the speculation following a report from Ireland that named him a potential candidate.
Pochettino was questioned about the rumor on Saturday, prior to facing Costa Rica in the Gold Cup quarterfinals. While he has a successful history coaching Premier League sides like Southampton, Tottenham, and Chelsea, he is currently under contract with the USMNT through the end of the 2026 World Cup. He was appointed to lead the national team in September 2024, succeeding Gregg Berhalter.
Brentford has since concluded their search for a new head coach, naming Keith Andrews as the replacement for Thomas Frank.
Pochettino directly denied the report, stating, “This club never contacted me. I never talked to them.”
Although Pochettino might have been on Brentford`s potential list, being under contract means any official contact would require prior discussion with U.S. Soccer. Amidst a tournament crucial for assessing the squad depth ahead of the 2026 World Cup, such rumors are an unwelcome distraction for the manager who needs to be fully focused on the team and developing the player pool.
For the USMNT, despite results not entirely meeting expectations under Pochettino so far, he is considered the best option for the upcoming World Cup. A change in management at this stage would not provide sufficient time to implement a new system. Winning the Gold Cup, even with key players absent, would significantly boost morale and perception about a year before what is arguably the most important World Cup in the national team`s history.
Dominic Ashworth