Mauricio Pochettino Breaks Down in Tears While Explaining USMNT Exit
An emotional Mauricio Pochettino called his departure from the U.S. men’s national team “the most difficult decision of [his] career” as he prepared to leave for Manchester United.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, seated between U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson and president Cindy Parlow Cone, Pochettino struggled to explain a decision that had unfolded during a whirlwind week.
Manchester United dismissed Michael Carrick on Thursday and confirmed Pochettino as their new manager less than 24 hours later, reportedly on a two-and-a-half-year contract.
“It's difficult to talk now,” Pochettino said. “I'm an very emotional guy. It's a very sad decision.”
The press conference was originally intended to preview Saturday’s Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal against Haiti. Instead, his departure dominated proceedings. Pochettino and his staff will still take charge of both legs, on Saturday and Tuesday, before officially beginning work at Old Trafford on Wednesday.
“It’s a really tough decision but at the same time I’m really excited for what’s ahead.”
Pochettino had long spoken openly about his dream of managing United. His affection for the USMNT, however, persuaded him to remain through the November camp.
“I appreciate the program that we were evolving together, that’s what makes even more difficult the decision,” he explained. “A decision in some part is a very sad decision, but in other parts, we are professionals, and we need to find the next step, try to make our dreams come true.”
Only in August, he had signed a new U.S. Soccer contract running through the 2030 World Cup. The agreement also gave him a deeper role in the federation’s youth pathways and initiatives, extending his responsibilities beyond the senior team.
“Yes, I had signed a new deal until 2030, but the [U.S. Soccer] federation knows not so many opportunities appear in your life like Manchester United,” he said. “And of course when that arrives, it’s difficult to turn down that situation.”
He acknowledged the unusual pain of choosing to leave a job he still valued: “Normally it’s the opposite—you are sacked and you cry because you want to stay and you are sacked. But in this case it’s the opposite.”
For now, he insisted, the farewell must wait: “But now is not the time to talk, it’s the time to show commitment and to prepare for the next two games.”
A lasting mark on U.S. Soccer
Batson and Parlow Cone both praised the foundation Pochettino had established during his tenure, pointing to changes that went beyond results.
“Mauricio has left a lasting mark on U.S. Soccer through his leadership, professionalism and commitment to our players and culture,” Batson said in the federation’s official announcement on Friday morning.
“What we are most proud of goes beyond the wins. He and his staff raised standards, strengthened our culture and created clearer connections from the youth national team to the senior team. Those changes are now embedded in how we operate, and we will keep building on them as we pursue sustained success on the world stage.”
Parlow Cone offered her thanks directly at the press conference: “You’ve contributed to the program getting better ... I want to give you a heartfelt thank you and we’re going to miss you. We are in a stronger place today than we were two years ago.”
Pochettino’s work also gave the Americans a clearer playing identity, reflected in their invigorating run at the home World Cup. Looking back, he focused on the players’ renewed ambition and their commitment to representing the country.
“We recovered our motivation, we recovered our capacity to dream big, the capacity to train players that really want to improve and really want to share good moments, players that really care about the federation and this country,” he said. “They want to put the country and the federation in the place that it deserves to be.”
Addressing Batson and Parlow Cone, he added: “A big thank you from my heart ... [We were] always trying to build something together. We learned a lot from you and from this country, these amazing people.”
An emotional departure on good terms
Pochettino said U.S. Soccer had been kept informed throughout the process, and described a supportive response from the players and staff when he told them of his decision on Thursday.
“We were very transparent, we were talking with JT [Batson] and the federation,” he explained. “Yesterday, when things were positive in the way the agreement was [with Manchester United], we had a meeting and I communicated to the players and the whole staff—I want to thank you because they were very supportive. They really understood us and they know how committed we are for the next two games.”
He said the emotional connections built over the past two years remained central to how he wanted to leave, stressing the “commitment and respect” and “care and the love” between those involved, even if his decision was not ideal for everyone.
The immediate challenge is to refocus on Haiti. An aggregate victory would send the USMNT to the Nations League Finals in March and secure an automatic place at the 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup.
U.S. Soccer will meanwhile search for a permanent successor. U-23 Olympic team manager Steve Cherundolo will take on interim responsibilities, while Pep Guardiola is reportedly the federation’s leading target for the long-term role.
