Former Chelsea boss emerges as leading candidate to take over as USMNT manager - Reports
Former Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has been named as the leading candidate to take over the vacant USMNT job, as per reports. The Argentine tactician is presently out of a job, having been relieved of his duties by the Blues hierarchy this summer.
The USMNT had a disappointing summer as hosts of the 2024 Copa America as they failed to progress beyond the group stage of the tournament. They won their opener against Bolivia before losing to Panama and Uruguay, with the fallout costing Gregg Berhalter his job as manager of the national team.
Several names have been linked with the vacant position as the USA are looking to make a high-profile hire to lead their national team. Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was approached, but he swiftly turned down the opportunity as he intends to move away from professional football.
The Athletic now reports that Mauricio Pochettino is the most likely person to be approached to become the next manager of the USMNT. The former Chelsea boss is known in the football world as a manager who can work with young players, as he has shown throughout his career at Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.
Pochettino last worked with Chelsea, who he led to a sixth-place finish in the Premier League in the 2023-24 season. He also led them to the final of the Carabao Cup, where they lost to Liverpool, and the semi-final of the FA Cup.
The ex-Blues boss has never before been in charge of a national team but has worked with some of Europe's leading clubs. If appointed, he will be a significantly higher profile than previous head coach Berhalter, who was in charge from 2018 to 2022, and 2023 to 2024.
Chelsea youngster being monitored by European giants - Reports
Chelsea right-back Josh Acheampong is on the radar of both Real Madrid and PSG as they target a new right-back this summer. The Independent journalist Miguel Delaney reports that the Blues may lose the youngster, who is very highly-rated within the club.
Acheampong has been at the club since the age of eight, and he made his debut at the tail end of the 2023-24 season in the Premier League against Tottenham. The 18-year-old is a versatile right-back who can also play at centre-back due to his physical development.
Both Real Madrid and PSG will be willing to pay up to €15 million to sign the youngster, who will represent pure profit for the Blues. With Reece James and Malo Gusto ahead of him at the club, he may choose to move elsewhere in search of senior minutes.