With only a few days left until the first leg of the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals between the USMNT and Haiti, the USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino looks closer to leaving the national team. Earlier this week, Pochettino was listed as one of the names Manchester United are looking at to replace Michael Carrick, who is expected to get sacked soon.
As the USMNT match against Haiti gets closer, Pochettino’s future seems closer to being at Manchester United, as reports from The Athletic suggest that Manchester United is finalizing a deal to appoint Pochettino if Carrick is relieved of his duties. With Pochettino getting closer to becoming the next Manchester United manager, the uncertainty on the USMNT’s preparation for their matches against Haiti grows.
According to The Athletic, Pochettino is expected to still coach the USMNT for the two CONCACAF Nations League matches against Haiti on Saturday and next Tuesday. The situation could change depending on how a potential deal between the USMNT and Manchester United unfolds. Sources told The Athletic that U.S. Soccer does not have an easy way to replace Pochettino on such short notice.
Pochettino was present during the Wednesday training session ahead of the first leg match against Haiti on Saturday. USMNT defender Chris Richards insists that the team is focused on the match against Haiti instead of the outside noise surrounding Pochettino. Richards said, “We’re training like he’s going to be the coach tomorrow, because we don’t know what’s gonna happen or what’s not gonna happen.
If you focus too much on what could happen, you won’t be able to really focus on what is happening.”
