Josep Guardiola is the primary candidate for the U.S. Soccer Federation to lead the USMNT if Mauricio Pochettino completes his expected move to Manchester United.
Mauricio Pochettino is in talks to leave the national team after reaching an agreement in principle with Manchester United, as The Athletic reported. United wanted a new manager right after the dismissal of Carrick, who left on November 12.
Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to become the Manchester United menβs head coach.
Pochettino ran training through Wednesday and is expected to manage the USMNT in November CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal games against Haiti before any move to England.
U.S. Soccer has prioritized Josep Guardiola if the job opens, according to The Athletic. Guardiola left Manchester City in the summer of 2026 after ten years and 20 titles, including six Premier League crowns and the clubβs first Champions League trophy.
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His record includes time at Barcelona, where he won the first sextete in soccer history, and Bayern Munich, where he won seven titles. Guardiola holds an ambassadorial and global advisory role in the City Football Group.
Former federation president Sunil Gulati has a strong bond with the Spanish coach. Guardiola lived in New York for a year after his 2012 exit from Barcelona to learn English and enjoy the city.
Guardiola has long expressed interest in the U.S. program. Two years ago, he spoke about the appeal of the country for a long-term project. He said the population size and sport development give the U.S. national team room to grow.
Sources say he shows little interest in a quick return to daily team management.
MalagΓ² said, βPep was honest. He took a sabbatical year, in part for family reasons, but if he had wanted to do something, he would have done it with us.β The federation also worries about long-term continuity because Guardiola rarely stays for long periods, while the governing body wants stability for the 2030 cycle.
U.S. Soccer has other names on its list. B.J. Callaghan set a points record with Nashville SC in Major League Soccer this year and is a candidate with internal league knowledge and past work as an interim national coach. Other options include Joachim LΓΆw, who led Germany from 2006 to 2021, and Wilfried Nancy, who won with the Columbus Crew. The federation still wants Guardiola to lift the team.
When Pochettino was hired in 2024, Guardiola praised the choice and the program, wishing the team and the Argentine coach success. Taking the U.S. job would be his first time leading a national team, a task he has called interesting.