Mauricio Pochettino makes his return to the managerial spotlight, after a few months off from the job.
Having managed top European clubs like Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea, the Argentinian is not short of any experience.
The Argentinian was ever so close to lifting the coveted Champions League trophy and bringing home a trophy for the North London club, only to falter at the final step and lose to Liverpool.
He now embarks on a new chapter in his career with the US Men’s National Team (USMNT).
The United States Soccer Federation bring in Pochettino as a replacement for Gregg Berhalter who had a 1 year stint as a manager for US and also has amassed 44 caps for the USMNT during his playing career.
Berhalter’s sacking came after a disappointing Copa America campaign, where his US side failed to make it out of the group stage on home soil.
This poor performance, compounded by growing doubts over his ability to lead the side for 2026 World Cup also being held on home soil, ultimately sealed his fate.
Enter Mauricio Pochettino—an established figure in world football, but new to the international scene, unveiled to the press on Friday.
At his unveiling press conference, Pochettino not only introduced himself but also caused a buzz online. The reason? He sounded an awful lot like Ted Lasso.
Pochettino’s first press conference at USMNT boss seemed as if the Argentinian, in an attempt to understand US’s soccer/football culture binged watched the popular TV show Ted Lasso.
So, why exactly are people comparing Pochettino to Ted Lasso?
Lasso’s famous “Believe” sign hanging above his office door became a cornerstone of his character’s philosophy on the show. It wasn’t just a word—it was a mindset.
When Lasso tore the sign down after a devastating loss, it led to one of the most iconic moments of the series: a speech about where belief truly comes from. “Belief doesn’t just happen because you hang something up on a wall,” Lasso says, pointing to his heart and head.
Pochettino, in his own way, channeled that exact sentiment. His emphasis on creating a culture of belief resonated with fans, in no time Twitter was up with countless memes and comparisons to the fictional coach flooding the platform.
“We have time [before the World Cup] We need to believe we can win and not just win a game, but to win the World Cup. We want the players to arrive on day one thinking big,” he said.
Pochettino then went on to repeat the importance of the word, saying it’s one of the most powerful words in the sport of soccer.
Believe for me is a word that is so powerful. You can have enormous talent, but in football, you need to believe. Believe that all is possible. If we find a way to believe all together, then we can achieve what we want
It was all this that made fans draw comparisons between the Argentinian and Jason Sudeikis’ popular fictional character. From the get go of his press conference did Pochettino embrace the ethos that made Ted Lasso a hit: belief.
But while the comparisons between Pochettino and Lasso are fun, there’s no denying that Pochettino is a serious contender to transform the USMNT. He brings with him years of experience managing top talent.
His challenge, however, will be adapting to the unique nature of international management, where he won’t have daily access to his players. Instead, him and his coaching staff will have to work effortlessly to maximize every training camp to instill his philosophy of football into this youthful American side.
Pochettino’s mantra couldn’t be more clear, his mission is to make believers out of everyone. And the goal is to not just win a few games in the 2026 World Cup, but to push to win the entire tournament.
The Pochettino era officially kicks off in October when the USMNT takes on Panama and Mexico. Until then fans can hope that their new boss, much like Ted Lasso, can turn belief into reality.
