Mauricio Pochettino impresses at first USMNT press conference despite tech issues

Mauricio Pochettino gave a good first impression in his first publish appearance as head coach of the United States Men’s National Team.

The Argentine was unveiled as the new head coach at a press conference in New York, alongside US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone, sporting director Matt Crocker and CEO JT Batson. But despite Pochettino’s confident, assured performance in front of the world’s press, the event suffered technical issues in the opening stages.

The first few minutes of the press conference were obscured as audio problems prevented those following the USMNT stream from hearing Pochettino’s first words.

“I’m confident that we’ve secured not only the best coach, but the best person to take our program forward,” US Soccer technical director Matt Crocker said in the opening moments of the press conference, shortly before the audio abruptly cut out.

However after those early issues the technical problems were solved and we got a sense of the Pochettino’s plans for USMNT.

Pochettino outlines positive future for USMNT

Once the audio wrinkles were ironed out, USMNT fans got the chance to hear from the new head coach. Pochettino, speaking in English, reflected on a difficult period for the national team and outlined his ideas for the team going forward. He was asked about his on-field plans for the team, whether he would insist on the same high-pressing style that marked his most successful teams in Europe.

“I think that the most important is to set an idea that can fit for everyone. An idea that players want to buy in to, and the staff too. Not only my staff, but all of the federation,” Pochettino explained.

“In terms of the way to play, we need to see the players and see the characteristics. We are a very flexible staff, we want to play good football and we want to show the fans that they should support us.”

However the new boss made clear that commitment remains a non-negotiable for him. Interim head coach Mikey Varas had spoken about the need to improve the team’s out-of-possession structures and Pochettino echoed that point.

“When we don’t have the ball we need to run. We need to be competitive, we need to be aggressive,” he insisted. “The potential is there, the talent is there. We just need to create the correct conditions for them to succeed.”

Where will Pochettino live as USMNT head coach?

The Argentine has spent the last three decades of his professional life living in Europe, representing teams in Spain, France and England. Now given the job of leading the United States, Pochettino was asked whether he intended to move to the US or would remain in Europe.

“The plan is to live here, in USA. But for different reasons I’ll be between the US and Europe. We need to create links for potential players [in Europe] with the national teams,” Pochettino explained. “We will try to build a relationship with the clubs and players, they need to feel our support.”

Pochettino was also asked more specifically about the team that he has inherited, a talented group of players who have struggled to perform for USMNT in recent showings. Quizzed on perceived weaknesses in his squad, Pochettino refused to outline any particular areas and made clear that he views the group as a collective, with the ability to approve.

“I don’t like to talk about weaknesses. We’re always positive and we have very talented players. Of course the confidence was low after Copa América but I think we’re going to recover. We have good professionals. We are going to work.”

“Football is a collective sport. We need to show that we can play like a collective on the pitch.”