)
The former Chelsea women’s boss played a key part in convincing the newly appointed Argentine manager to join the US soccer team.
Emma Hayes played a role in bringing Mauricio Pochettino to the United States men's national team, The Athletic have revealed.
How Hayes advocated for USMNT job Pochettino
According to the report, the coach of the USWNT and Pochettino developed a friendship while working together at Chelsea last season, with the Englishwoman serving as the women's team manager and Pochettino leading the men's team.
The seven-time WSL-winning manager advocated for Pochettino to US Soccer officials, sharing her positive experiences with him and recommending the Argentine for the position.
)
Even during the Paris 2024 Olympics, Hayes reportedly remained involved, checking in with officials to enquire about the progress of negotiations with the former Tottenham Hotspur head coach on the day of her team's semi-final win against Germany.
In addition to the former Chelsea women’s boss, Cindy Parlow Cone, the president of US Soccer, was also a strong advocate for Pochettino, as per the report.
)
What comes next?
After several weeks of speculation, Pochettino was appointed by the USMNT on September 10, 2024, and the former Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea head coach is anticipated to be in situ until the 2026 World Cup in which the United States are one of the host nations.
The Argentine’s first match is expected to be a friendly against Panama on October 12 in Austin.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)