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Why Mauricio Pochettino Outshines Every USMNT Coach in History

Why Mauricio Pochettino's résumé is better than any USMNT manager ever

Mauricio Pochettino’s résumé stands out as the most impressive among all U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) managers. His extensive experience in top-tier football, combined with a successful track record, sets him apart in a way that no previous coach has achieved.

At 52 years old, Pochettino recently guided Chelsea to a commendable sixth place finish in the English Premier League. His managerial journey has included prestigious clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Tottenham Hotspur, Southampton, and Espanyol. Although he has been a head coach since 2009, this will mark his inaugural opportunity to lead a national team.

FOX Sports Research has analyzed the backgrounds of the last five USMNT coaches, revealing just how remarkable Pochettino’s experience truly is in comparison.

Let’s examine the previous coaches:

Gregg Berhalter (2018-24)

Gregg Berhalter’s tenure was marked by a unique cycle of being fired, re-hired, and then dismissed again. He concluded his time with a 68.2% win rate (44-17-13, W-L-D), the highest among USMNT coaches with a minimum of 20 games. However, he could not lead the U.S. to the knockout stages of the recent Copa América and faced elimination by the Netherlands in the Round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup.

This performance was particularly disappointing, as the U.S. became the first host nation since 1975 not to advance past the group stage of Copa América. Berhalter also struggled against top-ranked teams, with a record of 2-6-7 (W-L-D) against top 25 teams outside of Mexico.

His coaching experience includes stints at Columbus Crew and Hammarby, where he achieved 92 wins in 239 matches.

Bruce Arena (1998-2006, 2016-17)

Jurgen Klinsmann (2011-16)

Jurgen Klinsmann brought excitement to the USMNT with his impressive background as both a player and coach. His experience includes playing for top clubs like Inter Milan, Tottenham, and Bayern Munich. Klinsmann managed the German national team from 2004 to 2006, leading them to a semifinal finish in the 2006 World Cup.

He guided the USMNT to a record of 55-27-16 (W-L-D) and a Round of 16 finish in the 2014 World Cup. However, disappointing results in World Cup qualification led to his dismissal in 2016, and the U.S. failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

After his time with the U.S., Klinsmann’s coaching career included short stints with Hertha BSC and the South Korean national team.

Bob Bradley (2007-11)

Bob Bradley is one of the few USMNT coaches with a winning percentage over 60% (43-25-12, W-L-D). His notable achievements include a Round of 16 appearance at the 2010 World Cup. However, his tenure was also marked by a last-place finish in the 2007 Copa América.

Bradley’s club coaching experience includes the Chicago Fire, MetroStars, and Los Angeles FC, where he earned recognition as a three-time MLS Coach of the Year.

Steve Sampson (1995-98)

Steve Sampson’s record with the USMNT stands at 26-22-14 (W-L-D), highlighted by a semifinal finish in the 1995 Copa América. However, his tenure ended on a low note with a last-place finish in the 1998 World Cup.

Mauricio Pochettino

The Pochettino era is set to begin, and his credentials are unparalleled. A former player for Paris Saint-Germain and Espanyol, he transitioned into coaching at both clubs. His first managerial role at Espanyol saw him struggle initially but he soon found success at Southampton, achieving significant victories over top teams like Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester City.

In his first full season at Southampton, he led the team to an impressive eighth place finish in the Premier League, marking their best result since 2002-03. His record at Southampton was 23-19-19 (W-L-D) before joining Tottenham, where he achieved a remarkable 159-72-62 record over five seasons.

At Tottenham, he reached the Champions League final in the 2018-19 season and won the London Football Awards Manager of the Year. He never finished lower than fifth in the Premier League during his tenure.

Pochettino’s time at Paris Saint-Germain was marked by significant success, leading the team to a 55-14-15 (W-L-D) record and capturing three trophies, including the Ligue 1 title. His recent role at Chelsea saw him guide the team to sixth place after a challenging previous season, with a record of 26-14-11 (W-L-D).

Pochettino has coached some of the world’s best players, including Harry Kane, Son Heung-min, Kylian Mbappé, Neymar, and Lionel Messi. This extensive experience with elite talent is unmatched by any previous USMNT coach, showcasing his ability to develop players at the highest level.

Source

Written By

Dave Gallo is a leading sports bettor and handicapper since 1999, known for his impressive 10-0 winning streaks. A journalism, advertising, and media studies major at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he combines his betting expertise with academic knowledge. Gallo's strong work ethic and passion for sports fuel his ongoing success and scholarly pursuits.

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