The United States Men’s National Team faces a coaching search as Mauricio Pochettino prepares to depart for Manchester United.
Pochettino, who managed the squad during the 2026 World Cup, will remain in his role through the November international break.
Following his departure, the U.S. Soccer Federation must identify a replacement to lead the team into the future.
While former Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been linked to the vacancy, former U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard expressed skepticism regarding the potential appointment.
Howard stated that the Spaniard is “absolutely not the right manager for this team”, according to Yahoo Sports.
Speaking on the Unfiltered Soccer podcast, Howard argued that Guardiola has only achieved success while managing tier-one players.
He suggested that the current U.S. roster does not meet that standard, noting, “We have probably tier-three players globally.”
Howard further questioned Guardiola’s ability to adapt to a different level of talent, asserting, “We actually don’t know if Pep Guardiola is a good manager.”
The transition comes amid a turbulent time for the program, with fans reacting to Pochettino’s decision to leave for a Premier League club, as noted in reports that some supporters “hope he gets booed” upon his exit.
Pochettino has also faced criticism for his emotional reaction to the move, with some observers labeling him a “great actor” during his press conference.
The USMNT is scheduled to play a friendly against Jamaica on Dec. 13.
It remains unclear if a new manager will be in place by that date.
The coaching search is expected to continue throughout the remainder of the year.