There were always going to be tears during Mauricio Pochettino’s press conference at the US Soccer National Training Center on Friday. It was just a question of when. Pochettino is known for his emotion, and no one in the audience had to wait long for the aqueduct — they came during his introductory remarks, as he thanked the U.S. Soccer executives who accompanied him for the opportunity to guide the American men. He became emotional again when talking about his imminent departure for Manchester United, announced a few hours earlier.
“I think (this decision was),” Pochettino said, pausing to compose himself, “one of the most difficult decisions of our career. Thank you guys. Thank you very much.”
The press conference feels very much like a farewell to Pochettino, but there is still work to be done. The Argentine will guide the USMNT through two Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal matches against Haiti on Saturday and Tuesday. In the meantime, the future United manager has done his best to answer questions about his departure and what’s next.
“These moments are not easy decisions,” a reflective Pochettino told the media. “Normally it’s the opposite. Normally you get sacked and you cry because you want to stay and you get sacked by (the club). It’s a difficult decision but at the same time we’re excited for the next step.”
Pochettino characterized United’s interest and negotiations as having come together at the last minute, essentially, with contact between the two sides first established on Sunday.
“We can’t underestimate the staff and the players. When things got bigger and bigger, the players are very sensitive and the staff too – they start to feel things too. (Everything) was so fast, because we got here last Friday and Sunday afternoon, this situation started to arise and contacts. We were very transparent, we talked with (US Soccer CEO) JT (Batson) and the federation.”
Details were quickly worked out between the parties, with the club and federation agreeing that Pochettino would remain with the United States for future matches.
“(Thursday), when things were positive in the way the agreement was, we had a meeting and I communicated with the players and all the staff. I want to thank you because they have been very supportive and they really understand the situation and they know us – how committed we are for the next two games. The decision between the federation and Manchester United, to accept that we will continue our work in the camp; (nothing) can change our commitment and the importance of the next two games.”
Pochettino and the U.S. federation touted his contract renewal in August as the start of something new and big, with the coach given a bigger role in the overall direction of the U.S. men’s team at all levels. That was left aside when United came knocking.
“They know there are not many opportunities that can happen in your career like (this one with Manchester United),” Pochettino said. “When they come, it’s hard to refuse. But I want to be clear, when we decided together to (stay for another four years), it was always a commitment for the federation too. Maybe the four games (in the September/October window) if we lose them, maybe you will start to put pressure on me. And maybe things can be different.
“Or even in the future,” he continued, “things can happen. The federation and maybe new people are coming or not, or maybe they have different ideas and you say, ‘We’re thinking in different directions’ and maybe they say ‘Mauricio, maybe you need to go home.’ We can’t think in those extremes – I think we were very committed and never thought it would happen this quickly.
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Pochettino was joined Friday by Batson and U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone. Batson was pressed on what would happen with the approximately $10m (£7.5m) Manchester United paid for Pochettino’s services. A significant portion of Pochettino’s $6 million salary was subsidized by billionaire hedge fund manager and American soccer donor Ken Griffin. It is unclear whether this generosity will extend to Pochettino’s successor.
“The deal with Manchester United, those funds — as you all know, US Soccer is a non-profit organization and those funds are used to help us hire great coaches,” Batson said. “They help us set up programs for youth national teams, coaching training… these funds are available for us to invest so we can have the greatest impact on our goals. We have a lot of support from our supporters, sponsors, donors and fans to ensure we have the resources we need to achieve our goals, including having a world-class coach. We appreciate that support and look forward to our way of winning in the future.”
Of course, Pochettino’s legacy remains to be defined. He was by no means a generational influence on the state of soccer in the United States, but he will be remembered fondly by many for a handful of standout performances and for guiding the United States to a respectable, if disappointing, round of 16 finish in this summer’s World Cup.
Pochettino was initially reluctant to define his own legacy, telling reporters he was “not arrogant” before jokingly acknowledging that he is “well, a little arrogant, but not too much”.
“We are not taking a project that will be remembered forever,” Pochettino said, “and having an image here at the training center. It is the impact on the human being. It is about us being a good partner and, through the vision of the federation, adding our quality and our knowledge of the game and being part of this family. I hope, at Manchester United, to do the same. This is what we can do – add our football expertise… The key factor, however, that can have a key influence is the human being.
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