Mauricio Pochettino and Emma Hayes could make a dynamic coaching duo at the helm of US Soccer. It isn’t very common among men and women’s national team coaches to have converging interests. Here, we got Pochettino receiving a heads-up from Hayes about coaching a US national team. The former PSG and Chelsea boss has set coach Hayes’ Olympic-winning USWNT as the gold standard to which the men’s team should strive. Highlighting how rarely men’s team coaches bother about the USWNT, former star Ali Krieger said that Pochettino’s praise rendered her in disbelief.

“One of the most important things we need to aspire to is the women’s team. We have Emma, for me the best coach in the world, and the women’s team in history have won everything. We need to match that,” said Pochettino in his introductory presser as USMNT head coach.

The Argentine coach’s sublime praise was recalled in the September 14 episode of the Futbol Americas podcast. Show host and USWNT legend Ali Krieger was asked how she felt as a US veteran to hear Poch’s praise. “It actually makes me feel so good. It’s refreshing to hear because this is the first men’s national team coach ever to support us as a team. And describing her[Emma Hayes] as the best coach in the world,” said Ali Krieger. She added, “I couldn’t really believe that he said that and I am so glad and happy to hear that. Because the support means the world.”

Anyhow, as Krieger went on, she observed that it is paramount for Pochettino to help the USMNT imbibe mentality lessons from its women’s counterparts.

After Mauricio Pochettino aspired to mirror USWNT, Ali Krieger details its importance

Even though Krieger was surprised to hear Mauricio Pochettino’s words, she also knows that the USWNT is worthy of grand praises. “It is the standard that we’ve set and it stems from great leadership. It stems from great players. It stems from having that focus and determination to succeed and to fight for your country,” Ali Krieger said. Thereafter, she called for the USMNT players to follow this standard coach Hayes and Co. set.

“I think that is what the men also want to have. Want to gain especially moving into the World Cup tournament in 2026. They have the potential, they have the players, they have the mentality and I think now having the leadership is crucial,” she added. Krieger’s stress on leadership shows how eager US veterans are to see Pochettino lead the team into a hopefully successful World Cup at home in 2026.