Mauricio Pochettino’s bodyguard escape: How a private walk turned into World Cup chaos

Mauricio Pochettino is discovering that managing the United States at a home World Cup comes with one unexpected downside: there is almost nowhere to hide.

After guiding the USMNT to an impressive start to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, two wins from two, the Argentine admitted he tried to pull off a quiet escape with his wife for a walk along the beach. It did not last very long.

Speaking to Spanish radio show El Partidazo de COPE, Pochettino laughed as he described how a simple attempt to disappear for a few minutes quickly spiraled into a security operation.

“I escaped with my wife to walk a little along the beach,” he explained. “I told Jesús from my coaching staff, ‘Distract everyone because I’m leaving.’”

The plan worked... at first.

By the time the couple reached the beach, however, people had already started gathering around him. That’s when Pochettino realized his brief taste of freedom was over.

“I said, ‘Send Jerry to come and rescue me because something’s going to happen here,’” he recalled with a smile.

Life has changed for Pochettino during the World Cup

Pochettino joked that he now travels with multiple security personnel, led by his trusted bodyguard Jerry.

Asked whether it is even possible for fans to approach him these days, he replied that Jerry is “very good,” before revealing there are two more large security guards backing him up as well.

While he laughed about the beach incident, the former Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea manager acknowledged there is a serious reason behind the heavy protection.

“Security here is very strict because there can always be some crazy person walking around,” he said.

America embracing its men’s soccer team

The increased attention reflects just how much momentum the USMNT has generated after its opening performances.

Pochettino revealed he was told the opening World Cup game attracted around 27 million viewers across Fox and Telemundo, making it the most-watched United States men’s national team game on record. He even claimed it outdrew the NBA Finals audience, something he believes shows soccer is capturing the country’s imagination.

“I told the players to be careful if our fans wake up,” he said. “There are millions of people here. If they start feeling the passion for soccer like we do, the United States can become a great power in the future.”

For now, though, Pochettino might have to put those peaceful beach walks on hold. At this World Cup, even slipping away for a few quiet minutes apparently requires a rescue mission.

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