Former England manager Gareth Southgate has emerged as a leading candidate to replace Mauricio Pochettino as head coach of the United States men's national team, just hours after the Three Lions were eliminated from the 2026 World Cup. Southgate, 55, has been out of management since resigning from his England role following the Euro 2024 final defeat.
Southgate's International Pedigree
During his nearly eight-year tenure, Southgate guided England to a World Cup semi-final in 2018, a quarter-final in 2022, and back-to-back European Championship finals in 2021 and 2024. Though he failed to end England's 58-year wait for a major trophy, he restored the team to elite status. Now, ESPN senior editor Caitlin Murray has tipped him as a strong fit for the USMNT, citing his proven track record in tournament football.
Murray noted: "We've seen a lot of successful club coaches make the jump to the international game ahead of this World Cup without a ton to show for it: not just Mauricio Pochettino, but Carlo Ancelotti, Julian Nagelsmann, Ralf Rangnick, Hugo Broos and others. The international game - especially an eight-game tournament - just doesn't work the same way as the 30-plus-game season of a club game." She added that with the World Cup expanding to 48 teams, the USMNT's focus should be on the 2030 World Cup, making Southgate's tournament expertise invaluable.
Pochettino's Uncertain Future
Pochettino's contract with the USMNT expires this summer, and speculation about his future has intensified after the team's 4-1 Round of 16 defeat to Belgium. The Argentine has been linked with a return to the Premier League and AC Milan, but he has refused to comment on his plans. "Now is not a moment to talk about that," Pochettino said after the loss. "I think now is a moment to see, to assess the tournament. You know, I'm sure in the next weeks we can start to talk if [U.S. Soccer] wants to talk."
Tuchel Under Pressure
Meanwhile, current England boss Thomas Tuchel faced criticism after England's 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina, with some questioning his defensive substitutions. However, Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham has confirmed Tuchel retains the FA's support. Tuchel signed a contract extension before the World Cup that runs until after Euro 2028, and he is expected to remain in charge for the home tournament.
