The US Soccer Federation has discussed Sir Gareth Southgate as a potential successor to Mauricio Pochettino alongside top target Pep Guardiola, GOAL reported.
U.S. Soccer is expected to target Guardiola to replace Pochettino, according to The New York Times, following confirmation that the current USMNT coach is headed for Manchester United.
Pochettino, who signed a new contract with U.S. Soccer following the World Cup, will remain in the dugout for the November international break before departing for Old Trafford. The federation’s immediate priority is managing the upcoming Nations League quarterfinals against Haiti.
Federation executives are rapidly exploring alternative profiles to ensure strong options are available.
Guardiola’s connection to the U.S. dates back to his 2012 sabbatical after leaving Barcelona. During that year, he lived in a luxury apartment off Central Park in New York City with his family, where he enjoyed relative anonymity.
Former U.S. Soccer president Sunil Gulati, who maintains a good relationship with the manager, first suggested the national team role to him years ago. The federation previously contacted both Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp during the search that ultimately resulted in the hiring of Pochettino to replace Gregg Berhalter in 2024.
U.S. Soccer has historically recruited wealthy donors to help finance the salary required for a high-profile international coach. During the previous hiring cycle, Guardiola, Pochettino, and Klopp were identified as the three names who fit the necessary profile.
Addressing the prospect of managing the Stars and Stripes, Guardiola noted in 2024 that the project is fascinating because of the potential to grow the sport and bring the national team to the next level.
“The USA is fascinating to try to build a project for many years and being able to get the national team to the next step,” Guardiola said at a press conference in 2024. “The potential with the USA is there for the amount of people and sports and so on.”
However, skepticism exists regarding the fit. Former goalkeeper Tim Howard argued on ‘Unfiltered Soccer with Landon Donovan & Tim Howard’ that Guardiola has only ever achieved success while managing “tier-one” players, such as the iconic Barcelona era led by Lionel Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, and Sergio Busquets. Howard questioned whether Guardiola could replicate that success with a different caliber of talent.
“Pep Guardiola, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Man City with more money than probably should have, has succeeded,” Howard said, as reported by HITC. “Coaching level two or three players, we do not know. We do not know. And nobody out there can tell me they know.”
Betting markets compiled by CSB list a variety of names in wide conversation, though the sources emphasize that betting odds are not confirmation of genuine interest. B.J. Callaghan leads the betting at 3/1, followed by former LAFC manager Steve Cherundolo at 4/1. Guardiola is third at 5/1, followed by Pellegrino Matarazzo at 6/1 and Mikey Varas at 10/1.
Thierry Henry and Roberto Martinez are both listed at 14/1, while Julian Nagelsmann—who is technically available after his dismissal by Germany—is priced at 25/1 alongside Southgate. Didier Deschamps (30/1), Jesse Marsch (30/1), Eddie Howe (40/1), and Antonio Conte (50/1) also appear on the list, according to Bavarian Football Works.
Whoever replaces Pochettino could potentially make their debut in the dugout in December, as the USMNT is scheduled to face Jamaica in a friendly on December 13.
