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Christian Pulisic: Mauricio Pochettino USMNT Contract 'Good News' After Berhalter Era

Andrew Peters

Christian Pulisic is all for the United States hiring Mauricio Pochettino.

The USMNT star said Pochettino potentially taking over as head coach is "good news."

"I think it's good news," Pulisic told CBS (h/t ESPN). "I think it's time for a change, it's time for us to take another step and really improve as a team and leading up to this World Cup we need to find some good results and build some momentum leading up to that moment."

Pochettino reportedly agreed to become the USMNT head coach last week, but he has yet to be formally named as the new coach because his contract situation with Chelsea is still being resolved.

The Athletic's Felipe Cardenas reported Saturday that talks between the United States, Pochettino and Chelsea are "ongoing and remain positive." Cardenas also noted that Pochettino is expected to be with the USMNT for their friendly against Canada on Sept. 7.

Another member of the USMNT, defender Sergiño Dest, also expressed his excitement about playing for Pochettino.

"Yeah, it is [exciting]," he said, per ESPN. "Obviously, he's been a coach for big clubs and he's a well-known coach. That will be a nice experience to train under him."

Pochettino served as manager for Espanyol from 2009 to 2012, Southhampton from 2013 to 2014, Tottenham Hotspur from 2014 to 2019, Paris Saint-Germain from 2021 to 2022 and most recently, Chelsea from 2023 to 2024.

Should the deal be finalized, Pochettino would replace Gregg Berhalter, who coached the USMNT from 2018 to 2022 and again from 2023 to 2024. Berhalter was supposed to lead the United States through the 2026 World Cup, but a disappointing early exit in the Copa America group stage led to the end of him being relieved of his duties in July.

   

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