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Now that the 2026 FIFA World Cup has concluded, the future of USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino is up in the air.
Pochettino's contract ran out at the end of the tournament, and he remains undecided on whether he will return to the federation to lead U.S. Soccer through the next four-year cycle with an eye on the 2030 World Cup.
Should the Argentine decide to move on, either to take over the national team of his home nation or eyeing a return to club management, the USMNT will need to move on and select his successor, knowing the next four years are critical to the growth of the national team.
The Sporting News has identified the top five candidates to replace Pochettino should he depart, as well as a few other dream candidates who could be available and would represent a smashing success.
MORE: When will Mauricio Pochettino decide on his USMNT future?
Top 5 candidates for USMNT head coach to replace Pochettino
Pellegrino Matarazzo
A very popular option back in 2024 when Pochettino was hired, Pellegrino Matarazzo has the rare combination of American roots with strong European coaching experience, meaning U.S. Soccer wouldn't have to decide between one or the other.
Hailing from Wayne, New Jersey, Matarazzo played at Columbia University before enjoying a professional career in Germany with a number of different clubs, including FC Nurnberg. It was there he began coaching, first as caretaker in 2011 shortly after he retired, and then as an assistant under Julian Nagelsmann.
Matarazzo reportedly held talks with U.S. Soccer two years ago, meaning he's likely interested in the role, and the national federation knows him well. At the time, Matarazzo was out of a job, having recently left his role at German club Hoffenheim, but he has since joined Real Sociedad, enjoying an extremely successful first season where they won the Copa del Rey, qualifying for the Europa League in the process.
Mikey Varas
Forty-three-year-old Mikey Varas, from just outside San Francisco, is currently the head coach of MLS club San Diego FC. He has extensive experience in the U.S. Soccer youth setup, having coached the U-20 team for two years before serving as an assistant under Gregg Berhalter and briefly serving as caretaker manager of the senior team as he led the USMNT in two friendlies during the September 2024 window.
After Pochettino was hired and brought in his own backroom staff, Varas was hired as San Diego FC's first-ever manager, leading them to an impressive Western Conference title in their first-ever season. They have taken a step back in 2026, sitting 12th in the West with just 17 points through 15 matches, but have begun to pick up the pace after a slow start.
With coaches hailing from within a national team's own federation setup enjoying success at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, there could be a push for someone like Varas to get the role ahead of a four-year cycle in which the coach will be expected to remain in charge the whole way through. His up-tempo style of play also fits with what Pochettino brought to the U.S. and could potentially keep the momentum going.
BJ Callaghan
USMNT fans remember BJ Callaghan fondly, from when the current Nashville SC head coach spent a few months in 2023 as interim head coach of the United States men while the federation worked on eventually re-hiring Gregg Berhalter.
Callaghan became a fan favorite as he led the U.S. to the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League title, and followed that by winning the Gold Cup title as well. Across seven matches in charge of the U.S. on an interim basis, Callaghan did not lose a match, winning four.
Gareth Southgate
Gareth Southgate is most famous for spending eight years as the head coach of the England national team from 2016 to 2024, known for having a knack for leading the Three Lions deep into major international tournaments, although he was unable to get over the hump and win a trophy.
He finally departed the England setup, where he had been since 2013 when he joined as U-21 boss, after defeat in the final of Euro 2024. He has been out of a job since, searching for the right opening.
Southgate reportedly had a number of club offers after leaving England, but has been waiting for the position of his choice to arrive. Could the U.S. be an attractive gig, or will he wait for a club opening to come his way?
Thierry Henry
A legend of his playing days and currently amongst the most well-liked football analysts in television, Thierry Henry has been in this position before.
Henry was touted as a potential candidate to replace Gregg Berhalter after the 2024 Copa America, and showed interest at the time, although he was coy about it given the awkward position he was in as a pundit. However, it would track that Henry would likely still be interested in the role.
The 48-year-old has previous coaching experience, both in the United States and at the national team level. He spent one year as the head coach of CF Montreal and did quite well, but departed after one season in charge as being away from his family while coaching during the COVID-19 pandemic was affecting his mental health. He also spent two stints years as an assistant for Belgium under Roberto Martinez, including at the 2018 World Cup, and then spent one year coaching the France U-21 national team at the 2024 Summer Olympics, winning a silver medal after losing to Spain in the final.
Dream candidates for USMNT head coach
Pep Guardiola
It would be an absolute delight if the United States were to land Pep Guardiola, but the chances are slim.
The legendary coach departed Manchester City this summer after a decade in charge, and there's no shortage of suitors for one of the greatest managers in the history of the game. We know that Guardiola is at least intrigued by the idea of giving international management a try, since he has reportedly already met with the Italian federation about their open position.
While the chance to return Italy to its former glory is surely intriguing, the Italian talent pool is a shell of its former self right now, and the opportunity to coach the United States at both a Copa America and a World Cup would surely be enticing as well.
Didier Deschamps
Another incredible get would be former France boss Didier Deschamps, who departed Les Bleus after the 2026 World Cup, having spent an incredible 14 years in charge of the national team he won a World Cup with as a player in 1998.
It's not known how quickly, if at all, Deschamps wants to get back into management, but he would be an ideal candidate for the position, with so much top-level international experience and success. Deschamps is still only 57 years old, so he could continue coaching for decades if he desires, but there is little left for him to accomplish.
Still, the chance to lead a top CONCACAF nation could present itself as a challenge, especially if the U.S. are confirmed as a 2028 Copa America participant, as they are expected to be. Would Deschamps jump back into management so soon? Or will he take a much-deserved break?
Julian Nagelsmann
Former Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann is out of a job after being let go by his home nation following another disappointing World Cup for Die Mannschaft. Since their triumph in 2014, Germany have disappointed at three straight World Cup tournaments, and Nagelsmann was not able to get them back out of the dredges, as they were upset by Paraguay in the Round of 32 this summer.
Still, Nagelsmann is considered a top manager by most accounts, having taken RB Leipzig to the Champions League semifinals, led Bayern Munich for two years, and then spent three years at the helm of a European power where they reached the quarterfinals of Euro 2024, only losing to eventual champions Spain in extra-time.
As a bonus, a German boss of his stature would help the U.S. have a leg up in recruiting many of the young dual nationals that often come through the pipeline, starting with defender Noahkai Banks who is currently deciding between representing Germany or the United States.
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