Pochettino warned ‘there’s a lot of things that need to change’ by ex-Chelsea star after he’s named USA manager
FORMER Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has been confirmed as the new USA manager.
But he’s been warned “there’s a lot of things that need to change” in a chilling message from ex-Blues star Christian Pulisic.
Pochettino, 52, quit Stamford Bridge at the end of last season after just one year at the helm.
He led the Blues to a sixth-place finish after bouncing back in the second half of the campaign.
But Poch left Chelsea by mutual consent after his views for the future failed to align with those of the owners.
He was then strongly linked with replacing Erik ten Hag at Manchester United before the Dutchman was handed a reprieve.
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And Pochettino has now returned to the beautiful game in a shock move as the new manager of the USA.
The national team is currently ranked 16th in the world.
But they have endured a miserable time on the field recently.
Former boss Gregg Berhalter was fired in July after the hosts were knocked out of the Copa America in the group stages following defeats to Panama and Uruguay.
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They have since been under the watchful eye of interim boss Michael Anthony Varas.
But his brief tenure saw the USA lose at home to Canada before drawing with New Zealand last night.
And with the nation co-hosting the upcoming 2026 World Cup, Poch declared: "The decision to join US Soccer wasn't just about football for me; it's about the journey that this team and this country are on.
"The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here - those are the things that inspired me.
"The opportunity to lead the US men's national team, in front of fans who are just as passionate as the players, is something I couldn't pass up.
"I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we're going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of."
But Pochettino was warned by AC Milan star and USA captain Pulisic that there is plenty to change on and off the pitch.
The ex-Chelsea winger said: “Hopefully he can bring a culture that’s willing to fight, to take risks, win.
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“There’s a lot of things that need to change and just the mentality and culture of the group.
“I think we have the quality but hopefully that’s the first thing he’s going to want to change.”
Pochettino’s Chelsea record
MAURICIO POCHETTINO had just started to turn Chelsea around.
An impressive run of end-of-season form saw the Blues leapfrog the likes of Manchester United and Newcastle to finish sixth in the Premier League - and earn a Europa League spot.
But it wasn’t enough to keep him in a job as it was announced that the Argentine had left.
Here are all Pochettino’s Stamford Bridge stats:
Premier League - 6th
FA Cup - Semi-finals (lost to Man City)
Carabao Cup - Runners-up (Lost to Liverpool)
Total record:
Games 51
Wins 26
Draws 11
Defeats 14
Goals for 103
Goals against 74