FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — With Manchester United reportedly pursuing Mauricio Pochettino, U.S. national team captain Tyler Adams understands why the Premier League club would be interested in his coach.
“Why would his name not be on it?” Adams told Yahoo Sports on Wednesday, referring to United’s list of coaching candidates. “I mean, the credibility, the résumé speaks for itself. It goes to show for us how lucky we are to be able to work under a manager of his quality and the person he is.”
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As of Wednesday morning, the famed club had not contacted the U.S. Soccer Federation about the 54-year-old Argentine, who in August re-signed with the USSF through the 2030 World Cup, a source told Yahoo Sports.
ESPN reported Pochettino would be open to returning to the Premier League – where he has guided Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea – and that United has engaged in talks with his representatives. Pochettino was under consideration by Manchester United on three previous occasions.
To sign Pochettino, Manchester United would need to pay the USSF a release fee of a reported $10 million. Should Pochettino leave, his staff would likely follow him. Assistants Jesús Pérez and Miguel D’Agostino, and goalkeepers coach Toni Jiménez have worked with Pochettino for many years.
Neither Pochettino nor USSF officials have commented on the matter. Pochettino is not scheduled to speak to reporters until Friday, the eve of the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal first leg vs. Haiti in Miami.
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The USSF’s decision to hire — and re-hire — Pochettino was “really an opportunity to move the federation forward,” Adams said.
“So when you do a good job as a player or coach, you’re linked to something. There’s rumors every single day with players going to different places or different clubs. It’s no different with a manager.”
Pochettino’s routine this week appears to remain unchanged. Before Tuesday’s training, he interacted in light conversation with USSF president Cindy Parlow Cone and chief operating officer Dan Helfrich on the edge of the field complex. Both visit USSF headquarters regularly, and Tuesday’s appearance was unrelated to the Pochettino matter.
Parlow Cone did not comment and Helfrich wasn’t available.
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The team will continue training at the USSF venue near Atlanta through Friday before flying to South Florida for the Saturday afternoon match at Inter Miami’s Nu Stadium. It’s the USMNT’s first official match since the World Cup Round-of-16 defeat to Belgium in Seattle. The second leg against Haiti is Tuesday in Cincinnati.
“Until we’re told otherwise, we have an opportunity to work with a great coach,” Adams said. “Let’s focus on the games that are at hand and winning these games against Haiti. Coming here to the training ground and being able to train here is always amazing.”
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
