Where is Mauricio Pochettino from? Home country, youth career, more to know about USMNT manager's roots

The United States men's national team has hired managers from inside and outside the country's borders, but to fans, it doesn't matter very much where a manager comes from as long as he wins.

After winning Group D following only two matches, Pochettino became an instant favorite among American fans. A quick knockout stage exit could turn those good feelings in the other direction.

While there are questions about what Pochettino's future could look like, he appears to be in the right place at the right time in his role as the respected leader of the team.

Here's what you need to know about where Pochettino's roots.

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Where is Mauricio Pochettino from?

Pochettino was born in Murphy, Santa Fe, Argentina, though his family has Italian heritage. The 54-year-old grew up in Argentina and started his club career in Argentina before heading to Spain to play for RCD Espanyol.

Internationally, Pochettino represented Argentina for parts of four years and played for the team in the 2002 World Cup.

Pochettino's coaching career has taken him to many different stops, but the United States wasn't one of them until he was hired to replace Gregg Berhalter in 2024. Pochettino managed at RCD Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea before turning international again as the USMNT's manager.

Mauricio Pochettino youth career

Pochettino played in his home country of Argentina in his youth career and the start of his senior career, first playing for CR Union y Cultura before joining Newell's Old Boys youth club in Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina. 

After three years, Pochettino earned the promotion to the main Newell's Old Boys roster at just 16 years old in 1989 and remained with the club until 1994, when he traveled overseas to play for RCD Espanyol in Spain.

Pochettino also played for Argentina's U20 and U23 teams, though he didn't join the national team roster until he was 27.

MORE: Insider the USMNT's record in World Cup knockout games

Mauricio Pochettino family background

Pochettino's father has Italian heritage, as his family originated in Piedmont, a region of northwestern Italy to the west of Milan. Pochettino's father, Hector, worked on a farm for much of his life.

According to Football Italia, the Pochettino family can trace its roots to the small town of Virle in Italy. The family left Italy for Argentina in 1867.

In 2018, Virle declared Pochettino an "honorary citizen" as his managing career continued to take off.

Pochettino's Italian roots could have a consequence for the United States, as reports have tied him to a potential interest in the AC Milan manager job. 

MORE: Meet USA's 2026 World Cup soccer team

Does Mauricio Pochettino speak English?

Pochettino speaks fluent English and is able to easily conduct interviews with American media outlets. While he understandably has an accent after growing up in Argentina, Pochettino managed in England for a total of eight years and has a full grasp of the language.

Here's a clip of Pochettino speaking to reporters at the 2026 World Cup: