Mauricio Pochettino is the new manager of the United States men’s national team to lead them through the 2026 World Cup, and it with it comes a considerable salary, as expected. In securing Potettino’s signature, one thing that needed to be done was to appropriately compensate the Argentine, and while with Chelsea Pochettino earned around $13 million annually, he won’t be earning nearly as much.
According to ESPN, Pochettino’s salary will be around $6 million annually to coach the USMNT, more than double that of former coach Gregg Berhalter. U.S. Soccer had to get creative and in the release on Pochettino’s hire there is mention that Pochettino’s hire was supported by gifts from Kenneth C. Griffin and Scott Goodwin alongside other commercial partners.
Griffin founded Citadel, a multi-national hedge fund, and Griffin Catalyst, which is based on philanthropic and community impact efforts. Goodwin is the co-founder and managing partner of Diameter which is also a hedge fund. Griffin has given to U.S. Soccer in the past for various initiatives also was involved in the Ricketts family bid for Chelsea that didn’t end up going through when Todd Boehley and Clearlake Capital bought the club.
Pochettino’s current salary with U.S. Soccer will not only make him the highest paid soccer coach in America but it is also competitive with current Premier League salaries. While not as high as Pep Guardiola’s salary, it would still be a top 10 salary in England showing that U.S. Soccer wasn’t afraid to spend to get their guy. There is also a buyout in the contract but the salary being competitive was important to lower the risk of a European side poaching Pochettino.
