8 Potential USMNT Head Coach Replacements for Mauricio Pochettino Amid Manchester United Rumors
Didn't we just talk about this?
The answer is yes, of course. As the World Cup drew to a close four months ago, it was unclear whether U.S. Soccer would try to retain Mauricio Pochettino as its manager for the next cycle, and whether he was interested.
Ultimately, and maybe surprisingly, considering how often Pochettino had already been linked to European jobs, the two sides agreed on a four-year extension. But alas, the charismatic Argentine may fall far short of seeing out that contract.
Credible reporting this week suggests Pochettino is a frontrunner to succeed Michael Carrick at Manchester United. The Red Devils would have to pay a $10 million buyout clause to secure their preferred manager -- and more to bring along his assistants -- but that's not a major sum of money for a club of their stature.
As for us, we're back to wondering again who might be the next full-time USMNT boss if, as seems likely, Pochettino leaves soon.
But four months is a long time in football. In other words, the list needs some updating.
Here are eight potential successors to Pochettino should he find the allure of Old Trafford too great. Four of them were on are original list back in July, and four are newer additions.
BJ Callaghan
1 of 8
Last Managerial Job: Nashville SC (Current)
On Our July List?: Yes
Why He Makes Sense: Callaghan was a top assistant for USMNT boss Gregg Berhalter during the 2022 cycle, then took over on an interim basis at the start of the next cycle after the end of Berhalter's first contract, and that whole saga with the Reyna family led to an interruption in his tenure.
Those matches under Callaghan went quite well. A full-strength U.S. squad romped through the 2023 Concacaf Nations League semis and finals against Mexico and Canada. A lesser-strength squad played some encouraging football at the 2023 Gold Cup before being eliminated by Panama on penalties.
What's New: At Nashville, Callaghan just guided his charges to an MLS points record and the 2026 Supporters' Shield. In the process, his stock as the American manager of the future may be at an all-time high.
While the MLS Cup Playoffs beckon in November and possibly December, the timing of a potential Pochettino departure now could make a transition for Callaghan easier than if U.S. Soccer had come calling back in the summer.
Steve Cherundolo
2 of 8
Last Managerial Job: United States U-23s (Current)
On Our July List?: Yes
Why He Makes Sense: Cherundolo easily has the most successful managerial resume of former USMNT players from the early 2000s. Most came during a four-year stint at LAFC, where his team won the Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup in 2022, and the U.S. Open Cup in 2024.
He also has significant links to the German game, having played his entire pro career at Hannover 96, and has moved back to Germany with his family following the 2025 MLS season. That's arguably an ideal home base for the manager of a national team whose core plays mostly in Europe these days.
What's New: Cherundolo took the U.S. U-23 job with an eye toward the 2028 Olympics shortly before Pochettino's extension was announced. That makes him a likely caretaker manager candidate for the senior squad, even if he's not the long-term choice.
And much of that U-23 squad could be part of the group that competes in the 2030 World Cup. All four of the USMNT starting XIs fielded by Pochettino during the September-October international window averaged 24.0 years old or younger.
Ange Postecoglou
3 of 8
Last Managerial Job: Al-Nassr (Current)
On Our July List?: No
Why He Makes Sense: Postecoglou has managed at the highest levels of the European game, winning a UEFA Europa League title with Tottenham Hotspur. Similar to Pochettino, his teams are known for playing an attack-minded style that would be popular with American fans.ย
Additionally, Postecoglou's formative footballing education came in Australia, a nation similar to the U.S. in terms of where soccer stands in the sports hierarchy. More than most foreign managers, Postecoglou would immediately understand the USMNT's responsibility not only to earn results, but to grow the game.
What's New: Postecoglou started his new job as manager of Saudi giants Al-Nassr over the summer. The Cristiano Ronaldo-led squad currently sits third in the Saudi Pro League table despite earning 2.55 points per match; such is the SPL's top-heavy nature.
We can be pretty certain U.S. Soccer doesn't have Al-Nassr money. But you wonder if the Aussie could be tempted by an exciting new opportunity.
Roberto Martรญnez
4 of 8
Last Managerial Job: Portugal (Contract expired July 2026)
On Our July List?: Yes
Why He Makes Sense: For European-born managers, Martรญnez knows U.S. soccer more than most. He was Tim Howard's manager for the latter portion of his career at Everton, and he's served as a pundit for ESPN, CBS, and others on American TV.
Like Postecoglou, his attack-minded style would also mesh well with U.S. sensibilities, at least more so than the pragmatism of many national team bosses. And his relationship with Cristiano Ronaldo at Portugal suggests that managing any tension involving Christian Pulisic would be child's play by comparison.
What's New: Martรญnez has stayed mostly out of the headlines since his Portugal tenure ended in a 1-0 loss to eventual World Cup champions Spain in early July. And in hindsight, his decision to lean on Ronaldo in the World Cup looks increasingly unwise.
Yes, there was ugliness between CR7 and the new national team boss, Jorge Jesus, after the latter began diminishing the former's role. But Portugal have won all four of their UEFA Nations League fixtures so far.
Jesper Sรธrensen
5 of 8
Last Managerial Job: Vancouver Whitecaps (present)
On Our July List?: No
Why He Makes Sense: Sรธrensen has been arguably the most consistent manager in MLS for the last two seasons, despite managing in far from ideal situations in Vancouver, where the team's future is uncertain.
While Sรธrensen doesn't actually manage in the United States, he's spent two seasons coaching against MLS-based American talent. He also has youth national team management experience, having guided the Denmark U-21 squad from 2021 through 2022.
What's New: After reaching the Concacaf Champions Cup and MLS Cup finals and winning the Canadian Championship final in 2025, 2026 has been a step back in terms of competitive results. Yet Sรธrensen has arguably performed even better while managing the departures of Sebastian Berhalter, Jayden Nelson and Ali Ahmed.
But after such a ride, the relative stability of national team management could be an appealing new challenge following the 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs, where Vancouver will be a favorite to reach a second consecutive final.
Joachim Lรถw
6 of 8
Last Job: Germany (Resigned in July 2021)
On Our July List?: No
Why He Makes Sense: Lรถw has been out of managing for five years and holds no obvious ties to the U.S. game. But as an assistant, Lรถw was arguably the brains behind the 2006 German national team that made such an impression on U.S. Soccer that it eventually hired Jรผrgen Klinsmann to succeed Bob Bradley in 2011.
He's a World Cup winner and two-time medalist. And he should be pretty well-versed in the elite U.S. talent that has found the Bundesliga to be a fruitful European destination over the last decade or so.
What's New: For whatever it's worth, German performances have mostly gotten worse since his departure. Der Mannschaft failed to escape the group stage in the 2022 World Cup and was beaten on penalties by Paraguay in the 2026 round of 32.ย
Meanwhile, rumors linked Lรถw to the Ghana national team job, which was eventually taken by Carlos Queiroz, prior to the 2026 World Cup. But similar rumors have come and gone in recent years, and Lรถw says he could be open to the right national team offer.
Michael Bradley
7 of 8
Last Job: New York Red Bulls (Current)
On Our July List: No
Why He Makes Sense: Bradley has the third-most appearances all-time for the USMNT, having suited up 151 times for the Stars and Stripes. He's the son of an American soccer legend in his own right, former USMNT and MLS manager Bob Bradley.
And while he's the least experienced manager on this list, having only recently completed his first season at the senior level, he is exceptionally close to rising USMNT stars Julian Hall and Adri Mehmeti, who were pivotal players for the Red Bulls this year.
What's New: The Red Bulls failed to reach the playoffs for a second consecutive season, marking a first in club history for one of MLS' nine remaining founding members. But few lay the blame at Bradley's feet, given a roster that most agree falls short of current MLS playoff standards.
That said, Bradley probably needs to show a little more in the results at the end of the business year to warrant serious consideration for a major promotion. He could, however, be an inter
Pep Guardiola
8 of 8
Last Job: Manchester City (Contract expired in June 2026)
On Our July List?: Yes
Why He Makes Sense: I mean, he's Pep freaking Guardiola, one of the most important managers in world football history, not to mention a man who has a well-documented ongoing love of the United States in general and New York City in particular.
And he's still enjoying life outside of managing, serving as an ambassador for City Football Group after finishing out his contract at Manchester City. Maybe he'll be too pricey, or maybe he'll prefer staying in club football, but it never hurts to reach out.
What's New: Some will contend Guardiola's most recent club legacy is tainted after Manchester City was found guilty on 114 of 115 charges related to
What's New: Some will contend Guardiola's most recent club legacy is tainted after Manchester City was found guilty on 114 of 115 charges, according to The Athletic, related to financial-rule charges. It's unclear yet what the disciplinary ramifications will be for City, and if any of the honors Guardiola won with City will be posthumously stripped.
It's unclear yet what the disciplinary ramifications will be for City, and if any of the honors Guardiola won with City will be posthumously stripped.
In that context, taking a role like the top job at the USMNT could be particularly appealing. It would allow Guardiola to stay out of the European spotlight if the worst disciplinary consequences come true. And if he transformed the Yanks into a global force to be reckoned with, no one could ever doubt his managerial chops again.
.jpg?w=2560 "Raiders Gave Cousins Choice")
.jpg?w=2560 "Giants Pursued Bijan Trade ๐")
.png?w=2560 "CFP Rankings Winners/Losers ๐")
.jpg?w=2560 "Every Team's Updated Salary Cap")
