Mauricio Pochettino has agreed terms to become the new coach of the United States national team, according to multiple reports on Thursday. The Athletic and ESPN reported that unnamed sources confirmed Pochettino, who parted ways with English Premier League side Chelsea in May, would replace Gregg Berhalter as boss.
Pochettino, 52, would arrive as the United States prepares to co-host the 2026 World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada. Pochettino left Chelsea after finishing sixth in the Premier League in his only season in charge, after previous stints with Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham.
Reports said the deal was struck after multiple conversations with US Soccer Federation technical director Matt Crocker and that no contract has been signed nor has the federation’s board of directors agreed a deal with Pochettino.
ESPN said the Argentinian cannot sign a contract with US Soccer until a pay situation with Chelsea is resolved. Pochettino would be expected to take over the US squad in time for a friendly against Canada on September 7 at Kansas City.
Saudi PIF enters North American football with CONCACAF deal
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has signed a partnership deal with North American football governing body CONCACAF ahead of the region playing host to the 2026 World Cup. The deal offers support for CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central America, and Caribbean Association Football) men’s, women’s and youth national team and club competitions.
It follows PIF investment in other areas of global football, tennis and backing LIV Golf, a competitor to the PGA Tour and European Tour. In a release announcing the move, CONCACAF and PIF said the goal of the deal is to spark growth in the sport throughout all 41 CONCACAF federations. The United States, Mexico and Canada will co-host the 2026 World Cup.
CONCACAF says the investment, which was not outlined in detail, will support a boost in the number of official youth championships to be contested in the coming years.
German stalwart Reus rolls into LA Galaxy
Former Borussia Dortmund and Germany midfielder Marco Reus has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal to play for LA Galaxy, the Major League Soccer side announced. Reus, 35, was a free agent after leaving Dortmund at the end of last season, playing his final game in the Champions League final defeat against Real Madrid.
It dropped the curtain on a 12-year stint at the German club, where he played 429 games across all competitions and scored 170 goals. He also won 48 caps for Germany and appeared at Euro 2012 and the 2018 World Cup. Galaxy currently top the Western Conference in the MLS, and lie second behind Inter Miami in the overall table. Their next game is at home to Atlanta United on August 24.
Spurs suspend Bissouma over laughing gas video
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou said midfielder Yves Bissouma has been suspended for Monday’s trip to Leicester after he was seen inhaling laughing gas in a video on social media. The 27-year-old has since apologised for what he described as a “severe lack of judgement”.
Possession of nitrous oxide - also known as laughing gas - for recreational use has been a criminal offence in the United Kingdom since 2023 and can result in a two-year prison sentence for repeat offenders. “We’ve suspended him for Monday’s game,” said Postecoglou. “The door is open for him and hopefully we can help him to realise the decisions he makes impact more than just him. Hopefully it allows him to make better decisions moving forward.”
Bissouma, who joined Spurs from Brighton for £30mn in 2022, had played 45 minutes in Spurs’ friendly loss to Bayern Munich on Saturday afternoon. Later that day he posted a video of himself on social media which showed him inhaling from a balloon.
In more positive news for Postecoglou, Dominic Solanke is in line to make his debut as the Premier League gets underway this weekend. Solanke has joined from Bournemouth in a deal that could rise to £65 million ($83 million) after scoring 19 Premier League goals last season.
Tottenham finished fifth in Postecoglou’s first season as they faded after a stunning start to the Australian’s reign. The former Celtic boss believes his side are better placed to qualify for the Champions League this season.
