Mauricio Pochettino Step Up Or Down?

[Musicman1965]

Read with interest the path of Mauricio Pochettino
Espanyol
Southampton
Tottenham
Paris Saint-Germain
Chelsea
United States Football Manager.

Now, just looking at the path, the appointment is a backward step.
No offence to our great Americain cousins but football in your lands takes on a different meaning.
Does anyone agree this is backward step? Why!

[1964white]

Pochettino hasn't won a lot in his managerial career, more a bridesmaid than the bride.

[BlackHillsPaul]

As an American, and a massive supporter of our National Team, I am thrilled to have Pochettino as our Manager. And I think he has a great opportunity to do something special with the host country's team in the next World Cup!

No offense to my British friends. But many of you seem to think that world football revolves around you. And most of you know absolutely nothing about football in this hemisphere! But I'll let you in on a little secret. We have as many football/futbol/soccer fans in the USA as you have residents on your quant little island nation.

[malcolmw]

Read with interest the path of Mauricio Pochettino
Espanyol
Southampton
Tottenham
Paris Saint-Germain
Chelsea
United States Football Manager.

Now, just looking at the path, the appointment is a backward step.
No offence to our great Americain cousins but football in your lands takes on a different meaning.
Does anyone agree this is backward step? Why!

Tend to agree Music. The resources he will have and depth of the talent pool is not at the level of a number of the clubs he has been at.
He should make a difference to the US team. He is a huge step up in knowledge and experience from his predecessor. I thought Klingsman made a difference to the US team a number of years ago.

I've said this before, but what the US and Canadian national teams need more than anything else is to be playing more games against better opposition.
Scheduling makes it tough of course, but I really think it's the only answer. Playing one another and weak Central American / Caribbean teams all the time is not going to improve the level.

I always make the analogy with Argentina in rugby. Very much a lower level team in the game, until they started playing the Rugby Championshop every year against the 'big 3' Springboks, All Blacks And Oz. In addition they toured the UK a number of times too.

For years they got walloped all the time. But in the last couple of weeks they beat mighty New Zealand and then inflicted the biggest loss in their history on Australia.
They are now a force to be reckoned with.

That approach and attitude is what the US and Canadian football teams need.

[Musicman1965]

As an American, and a massive supporter of our National Team, I am thrilled to have Pochettino as our Manager. And I think he has a great opportunity to do something special with the host country's team in the next World Cup!

No offense to my British friends. But many of you seem to think that world football revolves around you. And most of you know absolutely nothing about football in this hemisphere! But I'll let you in on a little secret. We have as many football/futbol/soccer fans in the USA as you have residents on your quant little island nation.

True, but in relation to actually population you could lose the UK in Texas without to much fuss... On this side of the pond football rules and not just the UK but extending East. It stops at the USA because the majority of the population are either playing rounders or a form of rugby with some lame arse padding.. Only joking, its good that we can laugh about our minor differences...Look forward to The U.S.A being included in the Champions League then you'll see how far you have come.... All the best...

[malcolmw]

As an American, and a massive supporter of our National Team, I am thrilled to have Pochettino as our Manager. And I think he has a great opportunity to do something special with the host country's team in the next World Cup!

No offense to my British friends. But many of you seem to think that world football revolves around you. And most of you know absolutely nothing about football in this hemisphere! But I'll let you in on a little secret. We have as many football/futbol/soccer fans in the USA as you have residents on your quant little island nation.

Not sure that tells the full story though Paul. Still seems the women's game gets more highlights over here than the men's game, which for years was underpinned by local fan groups of - mainly - Premier League teams.

But I do agree there are some very passionate fans on North America. It's also great to see the standard and resources for MLS improving consistently now.
It is, after all, the world's game.

[danhirons]

obviously a step down when you're managing a team of mainly championship quality players

great appointment for the US though and why not for him, international manangers job is pretty chill and he's probably on a fat wage

[danhirons]

btw I went back to 2016 and couldn't see a single big team that the US had beaten (do Mexico count?)

[Jammy 07]

As an American, and a massive supporter of our National Team, I am thrilled to have Pochettino as our Manager. And I think he has a great opportunity to do something special with the host country's team in the next World Cup!

No offense to my British friends. But many of you seem to think that world football revolves around you. And most of you know absolutely nothing about football in this hemisphere! But I'll let you in on a little secret. We have as many football/futbol/soccer fans in the USA as you have residents on your quant little island nation.

In some respects the US mens team is currently underachieving based upon where they were 10 or 12 years ago when it seemed they contend the latter stages of major tournaments.

The good news now though is that Pochettino has a free hit until the 2026 WC and as there's little doubt it would be good for the game globally if USA could mount a serious challenge I've no hesitation in wishing him well.

Also for what it worth the game of football does revolve around Europe and South America as proven by not only all the WC winners but also the finalists. That doesn't mean we don't respect nations from Africa, Asia and North America etc but until one of them shows they are the real deal it's hard to get excited about their domestic leagues and international teams in the same way.

[BlackHillsPaul]

True, but in relation to actually population you could lose the UK in Texas without to much fuss... On this side of the pond football rules and not just the UK but extending East. It stops at the USA because the majority of the population are either playing rounders or a form of rugby with some lame arse padding.. Only joking, its good that we can laugh about our minor differences...Look forward to The U.S.A being included in the Champions League then you'll see how far you have come.... All the best...

Glad you took it in the spirit it was intended. But are you testing me with the "Champions League" reference? I do know the difference between club football and International football. Cheers!!

[BlackHillsPaul]

In some respects the US mens team is currently underachieving based upon where they were 10 or 12 years ago when it seemed they contend the latter stages of major tournaments.

The good news now though is that Pochettino has a free hit until the 2026 WC and as there's little doubt it would be good for the game globally if USA could mount a serious challenge I've no hesitation in wishing him well.

Also for what it worth the game of football does revolve around Europe and South America as proven by not only all the WC winners but also the finalists. That doesn't mean we don't respect nations from Africa, Asia and North America etc but until one of them shows they are the real deal it's hard to get excited about their domestic leagues and international teams in the same way.

Well UEFA has made it nearly impossible for teams from other confederations to get friendly matches with the implementation of the Nations League competition. The opportunity for USA to play friendlies against European competition has mostly dried up.

[Jammy 07]

Well UEFA has made it nearly impossible for teams from other confederations to get friendly matches with the implementation of the Nations League competition. The opportunity for USA to play friendlies against European competition has mostly dried up.

Yes that's definitely a negative regarding all the different Nations League competitions.

England will probably also now struggle to play any real top notch opposition during the next 2 years before the World Cup as our Nations League group is weak and we'll be a top seed for the WC qualifiers. Just checked and there will be 12 groups for the European teams which means England won't face any of the other 11 top ranked Eurpean countries during qualifying.

[Clacton White]

Pochettino hasn't won a lot in his managerial career, more a bridesmaid than the bride.

It's not about what you win though , it's playing the game in the right way and an entertaining way , fans would much rather watch that than see some silverware...think that's pretty much what he said anyway. As a Leeds fan of 50 years plus now , having seen one FA cup , two league titles , a few other finals along the way ......I would be happy to see another cup or two in my time .....even the League cup or whatever it is now ( Caribou ? Is it ? ) . I don't really see Championship as a title or cup really , and play off wins ( what's that ) ...not really a trophy is it ?

[The Subhuman]

It's not about what you win though , it's playing the game in the right way and an entertaining way , fans would much rather watch that than see some silverware...think that's pretty much what he said anyway. As a Leeds fan of 50 years plus now , having seen one FA cup , two league titles , a few other finals along the way ......I would be happy to see another cup or two in my time .....even the League cup or whatever it is now ( Caribou ? Is it ? ) . I don't really see Championship as a title or cup really , and play off wins ( what's that ) ...not really a trophy is it ?

If you win the championship you're probably winning the 5th/6th best league in Europe ...

[Cjay]

Step up.

He was unemployed.

It's an opportunity for him Poch.

Most people myself included probably think of him still as an up and coming manager.

But he's 52 now, been managing for 15 years.

He's had a decent career but i expected more by now.

Was so impressive at Spurs and Southampton.

Never really pushed on.

It's a good opportunity for him, are some decent players in that team

Pulisic, Musah, Tillman etc.

Not in a good place now so if he could get them to the last 16 perhaps at the next World Cup on American soil I'd say that's a decent job all round and a mutually beneficial outcome.

Usmnt show progress under him, he rebuilds his reputation somewhat

[BlackHillsPaul]

Step up.

He was unemployed.

It's an opportunity for him Poch.

Most people myself included probably think of him still as an up and coming manager.

But he's 52 now, been managing for 15 years.

He's had a decent career but i expected more by now.

Was so impressive at Spurs and Southampton.

Never really pushed on.

It's a good opportunity for him, are some decent players in that team

Pulisic, Musah, Tillman etc.

Not in a good place now so if he could get them to the last 16 perhaps at the next World Cup on American soil I'd say that's a decent job all round and a mutually beneficial outcome.

Usmnt show progress under him, he rebuilds his reputation somewhat

I agree with you on this one Cjay. I think this is a great opportunity for Poch to rebuild his reputation a bit. The talent is there for USA to have a decent squad. Someone else commented that we have a squad full of "Championship" level players. But the truth is that most of our starting 11 play for clubs in the Champions League. But we really need a Manager of his status to get the best out of them. If we could make it to the last 16 or even the last 8, I think it would be viewed as a job very well done. And then he would head back to Europe and top club football.

[Cjay]

I agree with you on this one Cjay. I think this is a great opportunity for Poch to rebuild his reputation a bit. The talent is there for USA to have a decent squad. Someone else commented that we have a squad full of "Championship" level players. But the truth is that most of our starting 11 play for clubs in the Champions League. But we really need a Manager of his status to get the best out of them. If we could make it to the last 16 or even the last 8, I think it would be viewed as a job very well done. And then he would head back to Europe and top club football.

I think is a balance to be had Paul in terms of expectations from the football people in your country.

You haven't bad players, but we know from our time with some of them here sections of your media believe you have prime Iniesta and Xavi in Mckennie and Adams.

Pulisic is basically Messi and so on.

Some vastly overestimate what you have (same as here I guess).

What would be considered good for Poch? We've both said last 16, would that satisfy them?

Poch will never be short of offers but I think his stock has fallen in the top top manager ranks so this is a good opportunity for him.

[BlackHillsPaul]

I think is a balance to be had Paul in terms of expectations from the football people in your country.

You haven't bad players, but we know from our time with some of them here sections of your media believe you have prime Iniesta and Xavi in Mckennie and Adams.

Pulisic is basically Messi and so on.

Some vastly overestimate what you have (same as here I guess).

What would be considered good for Poch? We've both said last 16, would that satisfy them?

Poch will never be short of offers but I think his stock has fallen in the top top manager ranks so this is a good opportunity for him.

Trust me, nobody is comparing Pulisic to Messi. But I do think that most American fans overrate the rest of our squad. For example Musah is not a lock starter at Milan. Weah and McKennie are not lock starters at Juventus. Balogun is not tearing it up as a Striker at Monaco. Adams, who is a good player, can't stay fit. The central defenders are lower level Premier League players, play in Scotland, or in MLS. Our Fullbacks are decent with Antonee Robinson from Fulham and Serginio Dest from PSV. But Dest is currently injured with a torn achilles. And our Goalkeeping, which historically has been a strength, is the weakest it's ever been.

As I said, it's not a "Championship" level squad. But it's also a squad made up of complimentary or fringe players at good clubs.

I'm actually encouraged to see Brenden Aaronson start well for Leeds. And he was also the most enthusiastic player I saw interviewed about the arrival of Pochettino. I can see him developing into a starter for USA.

To answer your question, I do think that making it to the last 16 would be an acceptable finish in the eyes of most USA supporters. That would equal our best finish which was winning the first knockout round game in the 2002 WC in Korea/Japan and then losing to Germany in the round of 16. A game I might add that USA largely dominated, and only lost because of a clear Torsten Frings handball on the goal line that was not awarded a penalty. We was robbed.....