Full Breakdown
Mauricio Pochettino in Talks with AC Milan Ahead of 2026 World Cup
5/28/2026, 8:30:31 PM
Core Event: Potential Coaching Move
U.S. men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino met last week with AC Milan officials to discuss the club’s vacant head-coach role. The meeting took place before the United States’ World Cup training camp in Georgia, and Pochettino’s contract with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) ends after the 2026 World Cup on home soil. The meeting was reported by The Athletic.
Background & Context
AC Milan dismissed head coach Massimiliano Allegri and removed sporting director Igli Tare, chief executive Giorgio Furlani, and technical director Geoffrey Moncada in a “radical shake-up” announced in early May. The changes follow Milan’s fifth-place finish in Serie A, which left the club out of the Champions League for a second straight season. Milan’s owners describe the project as aiming to become one of the most compelling football ventures globally. The ownership aims to revive Milan as a top global football project.
Mauricio Pochettino, 54, succeeded Gregg Berhalter as USMNT head coach in September 2024 after a Copa America group-stage exit. His résumé includes Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur (top-four finish and 2019 Champions League final), Paris Saint-Germain (2021-22 Ligue 1 title), and Chelsea (2023-24). He began his playing career at Espanyol in Spain.
Timeline
- Summer 2024 – Pochettino appointed USMNT head coach.
- March 2025 – Pochettino hinted at a possible post-World-Cup extension.
- Early May 2026 – AC Milan parts with Allegri, Tare, Furlani, Moncada.
- Late May 2026 – Pochettino meets Milan representatives.
- June 2026 – USMNT World Cup camp begins in Georgia.
The meeting was confirmed by sources to The Athletic.
Data & Statistics
- AC Milan finished 5th in Serie A, missing Champions League qualification for the second consecutive season.
- Pochettino’s USSF contract expires after summer 2026.
- Pochettino is 54 years old.
Why It Matters
A move to Milan would reunite Pochettino with USMNT winger Christian Pulisic and midfielder Yunus Musah (currently on loan at Atalanta), potentially influencing player development and tactical continuity. For Milan, hiring a coach with proven success in top European leagues aligns with its ambition to restore competitive stature. For the USMNT, Pochettino’s decision could affect continuity in preparation for the 2026 World Cup.
Official Statements & Responses
Pochettino said he is “open” to extending his USMNT tenure, noting any future contract would depend on mutual satisfaction with the federation. AC Milan’s leadership emphasized a “thorough search” for a successor capable of delivering the club’s ambitious project.
Verbatim Quote
> “We are open. We don’t have a contract for the future but why not if we are happy and the federation is happy?” — Mauricio Pochettino, USMNT head coach
What’s Next
The USMNT will commence its World Cup camp in Georgia later this month, while AC Milan continues its coach-search, with a decision expected before the start of the 2026-27 Serie A season.
