USMNT Coach Mauricio Pochettino Faces Backlash Over World Cup Exit Plans

When the US men's national soccer team hired Mauricio Pochettino in 2024, it seemed as though the team would finally be in a position to truly go toe-to-toe with the major world soccer powers at the upcoming FIFA World Cup. But with the World Cup fast approaching, Pochettino has apparently been planning for his exit.

According to sports writer Nicolo Schira, Pochettino will leave the USMNT immediately after their World Cup run. He has reportedly been offered the managerial job at Italy's prestigious AC Milan, Christian Pulisic's current club, but it's unclear if he'll accept it.

"Mauricio #Pochettino will leave #USA National Team after the World Cup. He has been offered to #ACMilan by an intermediary in the last hours. #transfers," Schira wrote on Wednesday.

The Lame Duck

US soccer fans were furious that Pochettino would set himself up to be a lame duck coach with the USMNT ahead of the biggest tournament of their lives. Many believe it shows that Pochettino never truly bought in on the United States job and has been giving lackluster efforts for his whole tenure.

"Awesome, lame duck coach in the only World Cup we'll see on this soil for decades. No wonder he didn't give a (expletive) about calling anyone," one user wrote on X.

"Seems like he's had a foot out the door the whole time," another lamented.

"Why this man was even hired to be out coach is beyond me. How embarrassing," wrote a third.

"US Soccer remains undefeated Horrific hire. Blinded by the name and buying into the hype instead of paying attention to what the guy actually doing in his previous jobs. Poch has never given me the sense he cares about the US job. There is no connection with this team."

"Remember when USMNT fans were twerking for him calling him a 'World class manager?' NOTHING to show for it."

However, the news shouldn't considered overly surprising for those that have followed Pochettino since his hiring. He only signed a two-year contract that expired after the 2026 FIFA World Cup to begin with.

One could argue that spending even an iota of attention on his future beyond the World Cup is a bad move, though there's no indication that he's been working on it himself instead of his agent.

As disappointing as it may feel for a World Cup coach to pack his bags and leave the moment the team gets sent home, he isn't the first and he won't be the last.

The better question to ask is whether his team's performance in the World Cup influences whether big clubs or countries choose to offer him a job.

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This story was originally published May 28, 2026 at 7:18 AM.