There is more than just one reason why Mauricio Pochettino should become the US Men’s National Team manager. Besides being a big-name manager that the Star and Stripes have desired, it’s also the quality and work rate that is assured with the Argentinian tactician. However, there are a few catches for Christian Pulisic and Co. if Pochettino were to lead them.

What better way to get familiar with the former Chelsea boss than knowing from the horse’s mouth? USMNT legend Brad Friedel, who played under Pochettino during his Tottenham goalkeeping days has warned players what they can expect from the 52-year-old. Speaking to SiriusXM FC podcast, Friedel first talked about Poch and his crew.

“They are incredibly compassionate to players who play for them and work hard for them. No nonsense, the players better be aware of being unfit. His tactical session is probably harder than most MLS sessions that are out there,” said the former goalie, only to add that Pochettino will not put up with players who think they ‘deserve’ to be on the team.

“Everyone, including someone who thinks is the best player [like] Christian Pulisic, will all have to be there to earn the right to be there with Mauricio Pochettino. There is no favorite.” However, Friedel quickly concluded on a positive note that Pulisic and Co. will favor. “But I tell you, once he has his team together, it’s such a good, positive, really good working environment. It’s very difficult for players not to enjoy playing football under him.”

Of course, there are two sides of the coin. But surely Pochettino would be doing this for the sake of the team. After all, everyone will have a lot of expectations from the manager who ‘Ticks a lot of boxes.’

Mauricio Pochettino can also handle the ‘egos’ of USMNT players!

Aside from the no-nonsense attitude that Mauricio Pochettino would be instilling in the players, the former PSG won’t struggle to handle the USMNT squad, once mentioned by US icon Herculez Gomez. This is all because of working in a locker room that had the likes of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe, ergo tuning the Tyler Adams, Christian Pulisics, Timothy Weahs, and Giovanni Reynas of the world certainly ‘Ticks a lot of boxes.’

“Big European name. He is one of the best club managers out there. Matt Crocker promised a big name and there is a big name,” added Gomez. Coincidentally, Crocker, the technical director of the United States Soccer Federation, has worked with Pochettino at Southampton.

Also, beyond the Argentine’s experience working with the former Parisian trio, helping the likes of Harry Kane at Spurs and the remarkable rise of Cole Palmer at Chelsea prove to be instances that there’s a lot in store regarding the development of young talents.

So it is safe to say that Pochettino is a safe hiring for the USMNT. It remains to be seen how things will transpire under him once he takes over the reins of the team.