Mauricio Pochettino‘s prime focus as the USMNT head coach is ‘mission 2026 World Cup.’ The former PSG and Chelsea boss’ long-term future with US soccer will depend on the USMNT’s run in the US-hosted 2026 WC. Anyhow, irrespective of Pochettino’s success or failure in 2026, former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher believes he will return to the club football scene after the World Championship in America.

In a recent conversation, former England teammates Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville spoke at length about Pochettino’s USMNT job. Carragher believes that the USMNT and Pochettino could not have had a better deal. “He is a top manager but I also look at the US and I do think right now it is a plum job because of what’s coming in the next couple of years in terms you know the tournament there,” said Carragher in the debut episode of the Overlap US show. However, the ex-Liverpool defender doesn’t see a long-term commitment between the US and Pochettino.

“I only see him doing two years and being totally honest and sort of finishing after that World Cup and I’d expect to see him go back into the club game,” Carragher added. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Carragher’s prediction came true after the 2026 WC. Firstly, European giants such as Manchester United could try to poach the Argentine coach any day. Besides, the US soccer itself has given the mission 26 WC to Pochettino as a do-or-die deal.

The 2026 World Cup will decide Mauricio Pochettino’s future in the US camp

During a recent interview, US Soccer CEO JT Batson detailed that Mauricio Pochettino’s sole aim as the USMNT manager is to fare well in the upcoming World Cup at home. The USSF chief is also quite aware that fans won’t be happy to see Pochettino continuing the US job if the USMNT fails to shine in 2026. And hence he stated that the next World Cup will decide Pochettino’s future in the US, guaranteeing that US Soccer would mull keeping Poch in the house for long if he succeeds.

The Argentine coach’s contract with the USMNT runs till 2026, which will take him through the US-hosted tournament. So until 2026, Pochettino’s future after the World Cup will remain a talking point in soccer circles. Even after the World Cup, the former Chelsea coach could try his luck with the next Copa America. But on the other side, any European club won’t say no to the 52-year-old manager. Do you wish to see Pochettino continue with the US post- World Cup? Or do you see him returning to Europe and club football? Tell us in the comments.