MAURICIO POCHETTINO SETS TARGET FOR USMNT SUCCESS AT THE WORLD CUP, NOTES THOSE WHO INFLUENCED HIM TO TAKE U.S. JOB

WHAT HAPPENED?

Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that both he and U.S. Soccer have set specific targets over the next two years in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament will be played in Mexico, Canada and the U.S., and the new coach is beginning preparations and outlining the approach.

Speaking with Gary Neville, Rebecca Lowe and Jamie Carragher on It's Called Soccer - a podcast featuring all three media personalities - the USMNT boss discussed expectations, while also offering insight into who helped influence him to take the U.S. job.

WHAT POCHETTINO SAID

The new U.S. manager said that in conversations with the U.S. Soccer Federation and sporting director Matt Crocker, they targeted - at minimum - advancing to the quarterfinals for the USMNT.

"The truth? It's a quarterfinal, it's the target, no? They were very clear and I am very honest to you," Pochettino said to Neville. "I think that was the idea, the challenge, they know that it is going to be difficult, but I am a person, we are people that really believe we can. We think this talented group can perform better. So we accept the challenge."

Pochettino also said that there were two key people that helped influence him to take the USMNT job - USWNT boss Emma Hayes and Inter Miami boss Tata Martino.

"Of course Emma, the first," he said, "and then Gerardo Tata Martino that is in Miami, because he was my captain when I was at Newell's Old Boys."

Pochettino played for the Argentine club from 1989-1994, while Martino repped the club's badge for a decade from 1980-1990. Before accepting the USMNT job, Pochettino's last managerial role was with Premier League side Chelsea - where at the time - Hayes was the manager of the Blues' women's side before taking over the USWNT.

DID YOU KNOW?

Pochettino said that he did not speak with Lionel Messi ahead of his move to the USMNT, despite the duo working together at PSG from 2001-2003. However, in conversations with Martino, the Inter Miami boss - who now coaches Messi - helped convince him this was the right move for his career path.

WHAT NEXT FOR POCHETTINO

Pochettino will take to the touchline with the USMNT for the first time in October in a pair of international friendlies against Mexico and Panama. Until then, he'll be working with U.S. Soccer to implement his coaching styles and techniques ahead of the fall camp.