United States men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino has reportedly held preliminary discussions with AC Milan over becoming the club’s next manager following the dismissal of Massimiliano Allegri.
Key Highlights:
- Mauricio Pochettino linked with AC Milan managerial role
- Argentine coach denies direct talks with AC Milan executives
- Pochettino says his representatives may have spoken with the Italian club
- US Soccer confirms interest from other clubs in the coach
- AC Milan searching for new manager after disappointing Serie A season
- Pochettino currently preparing the US for the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The 54-year-old Argentine is currently focused on leading the United States men’s national soccer team into the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by United States, Canada and Mexico. However, his contract with US Soccer expires after the tournament, fueling speculation about a possible return to club football.
Speaking after training on Thursday, Pochettino denied personally meeting AC Milan officials but admitted that his representatives could have engaged in discussions with the Serie A giants.
When asked whether he had spoken directly with Milan executives, the former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager replied: “No.”
Pressed further on whether his agents had held talks, Pochettino responded: “Maybe, possible, because they need to do their job.”
He added: “If I met someone, what happened? What is going to change if I met someone? We have friends everywhere and my representative works for me trying to find the best possibility for the future. That is normal.”
Pochettino also disclosed that he has already discussed his future plans with US Soccer Federation chief executive JT Batson.
“He asked if we are open to listen to the project of the federation for the next four years,” Pochettino explained.
“And we said of course we are open. Do you think that if we have a commitment with another people, we are going to waste time to listen?”
Batson praised the Argentine coach for maintaining transparency regarding interest from other clubs and reaffirmed the federation’s confidence in their working relationship.
“He’s been incredibly transparent,” Batson said. “There were lots of people interested in Mauricio and his team. He had standing offers from other places and he wanted to be here.”
According to Batson, Pochettino strongly believes in the growth of football in the United States and in the long-term potential of the national team.
Pochettino’s last club role came during the 2023/24 season with Chelsea, where he guided the Blues to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League and reached the Carabao Cup final.
Before his spell at Stamford Bridge, the Argentine managed Paris Saint-Germain, winning both the Ligue 1 title and the French Cup.
He remains best known for his successful five-and-a-half-year spell at Tottenham Hotspur, where he led the club to the 2019 UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool FC.
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Pochettino has also managed Espanyol and Southampton during his coaching career, while earning 20 caps for Argentina national football team as a player.
Meanwhile, AC Milan are searching for a new manager after parting ways with Allegri following what club officials reportedly described as a disappointing campaign.
The Rossoneri missed out on UEFA Champions League qualification after dropping from third to fifth position in Serie A following a final-day defeat to Cagliari Calcio, although the club still secured a place in the Europa League.
