Mauricio Pochettino 'to leave USA' immediately after World Cup for new job

Mauricio Pochettino's time in charge of the United States is poised to be a short one, with reports that he will leave the job for a different role after the World Cup.

After leaving Chelsea by mutual consent in May 2024, Pochettino took his first job in international football in September when he became the USMNT's highest-paid coach in history.

The former Spurs and Paris Saint-Germain boss penned a two-year deal with the World Cup co-hosts and announced his 26-man squad earlier this week.

Pochettino was selected as the United States manager ahead of a list of elite coaches but he does not appear to be a long-term appointment.

The Argentine's deal expires after the tournament and according to journalist Nico Schira, he will leave his position as soon as his team's campaign has finished.

In addition, Schira claims that Pochettino has been offered to Serie A giants AC Milan through intermediaries.

The Rossoneri sacked Max Allegri after a second stint at the San Siro, with Milan finishing sixth in Serie A.

Departing Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraiola is said to be a top target but appears closer to replace Oliver Glasner at Crystal Palace.

Pochettino is therefore in the frame for the vacancy and would reunite with US talisman Christian Pulisic at Milan if he became the new Milan manager.

His squad for the World Cup includes five Premier League stars, with Bournemouth midfielder Tyler Adams, Coventry City forward Haji Wright, Leeds winger Brendan Aaronson, Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards and Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson all featuring.

USA World Cup squad in full

Goalkeepers: Matt Turner (New England Revolution), Matt Freese (New York City), Chris Brady (Chicago Fire)

Defenders: Sergino Dest (PSV), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham), Auston Trusty (Celtic), Max Arfsten (Columbus Crew), Alex Freeman (Villarreal), Mark McKenzie (Toulouse), Joe Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach), Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Tim Ream (Charlotte FC)

Midfielders: Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Weston McKennie (Juventus), Brendan Aaronson (Leeds), Sebastian Berhalter (Vancouver Whitecaps), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders), Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen), Alejandro Zendejas (Club America)

Forwards: Gio Reyna (Borussia Monchengladbach), Haji Wright (Coventry), Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Ricardo Pepi (PSV), Tim Weah (Marseille)

Mauricio Pochettino defends decision to email players left out of World Cup squad

Pochettino explained his choices in a press conference after the announcement and delivered a furious defence of the way in which the bad news was delivered to those who did not make the cut.

Reports claimed players were emailed rather than receiving a phone call.

"When I was a player, when I didn't make the roster, I didn't want my coach to call me," Pochettino stated.

"The players who didn't make the roster, they don't want me to say I apologise.

"If I call, it's about myself. That is ****.

"That doesn't mean we don't care. Because we care a lot, we don't want to say nothing that would confuse the players."

The USA are in Group D alongside Paraguay, Australia and Turkey, with two of their three group games taking place at the SoFi Stadium.

They prepare for the campaign on home soil with friendly fixtures against Senegal and Germany.