Mikey Varas set to oversee USNMT until Pochettino arrives

The United States men’s national team is about to undergo a shake-up in the coaching department but the new positions will not be occupied until after the international break in September.

With everything pointing to Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino set to take charge of the USMNT, it appears that the former Spurs, PSG and Chelsea boss won’t be in place in time to oversee the two international games scheduled for early next month as the ‘Stars and Stripes’ face Canada on September 7 and New Zealand on the 10th.

According to ESPN, Mikey Varas, coach of the U-20 team, will take charge of the team on an interim basis for these two games. While Pochettino’s move to North America is as good as a ‘done deal’, US Soccer are anxious not to rush matters and even if the Argentine is confirmed as new coach, Varas will manage the team for the Canada and New Zealand matches.

Negotiations with the Argentine have intensified, but as yet, the 52-year-old has yet to put pen to paper with ESPN adding that a meeting with the US Soccer board has been scheduled for Friday, 23 August where it’s expected that the appointment will be finalised.

One of the reasons why the Argentine has yet to sign with US Soccer is related to contractual clauses from his time with Chelsea with The Blues looking at external sponsorship deals to make the new role financially viable for the Argentine.