US Soccer CEO JT Batson stated on Thursday that the federation will take a break after the World Cup before addressing the futures of head coach Mauricio Pochettino and the vacant sporting director position. Speaking at a media roundtable in Georgia, Batson indicated that no immediate decisions are forthcoming.
Pochettino's Contract and Future
Pochettino's contract, partially funded by billionaire donors, expires with the tournament's conclusion. When asked about the coach, Batson said, "We are going to take a break after the World Cup and rest and recuperate." He added that Pochettino and his staff have been active in long-term planning, including discussions about the U-23 role with Steve Cherundolo.
Sporting Director Role After Crocker's Exit
Matt Crocker resigned as sporting director in April to take a similar position in Saudi Arabia. Batson emphasized the federation's workforce of over 600 people, rather than relying on a single executive. He and COO Dan Helfrich declined to confirm whether a new sporting director would be among upcoming hires.
Helfrich noted that the team includes soccer expertise from both the US and abroad, mentioning Vice-President of Sporting Oguchi Onyewu, Head of Development Barry Pauwels, Head of Women's Youth Development Tracey Kevins, and Emma Hayes. "I anticipate, in the months to come, there’s a little more clarity on structure," he said.
Organizational Gaps
The US men's national team faces significant organizational gaps after the World Cup, with both the head coach and sporting director positions unfilled. Batson's comments suggest that these vacancies may persist for some time as the federation takes a deliberate approach to restructuring.
