U.S. Soccer 'Targets' the Legendary Pep Guardiola As Mauricio Pochettino's Successor

Soccer has reportedly named Pep Guardiola as its "top target" to replace current U. men's national team manager Mauricio Pochettino, who is expected to take charge of Manchester United.

Soccer looked set just a few months ago. Pochettino, who had just led the Stars and Stripes to a round of 16 finish at the 2026 World Cup,inked a four-year extensionwith the USMNT in August.

All the pieces were in place for the Argentine to lead the Americans at the 2030 World Cup. Except now United have come knockingamid their replacement search for Michael Carrick, who has led the Red Devils to just three wins across all competitions this season.

The 20-time English champions are reportedlyfinalizing a contract for Pochettino, leaving the USMNT scrambling for a succession plan. The federation's vision is slowly coming into focus, though.

Soccer is looking to "lure" Guardiola to the international level. The former Manchester City manager has been "discussed internally" and is viewed as the ideal candidate to replace Pochettino.

Soccer Pep Guardiola previously lived in New York City. The federation was interested in the Spanish boss following the 2022 World Cup, but Guardiola was busywinning trophy after trophywith City.

When he made the Etihad Stadium his new home in July 2016, he poured his entire life into making City the best team in the Premier League -a crown they held for six of his 10 seasons in charge. Guardiola also led the team to its first-ever Champions League title, along with three FA Cups and five Carabao Cups before he departed at the end of the 2025-26 season.

There were whispers Guardiola would leave City even before last summer, though, so much so that U. Soccer once again pursued him as Gregg Berhalter's long-term successor following the 2024 Copa América.

Former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp was also in the running, but Pochettino was ultimately the man entrusted with the USMNT 's "golden generation. Soccer is seemingly once again chasing after Guardiola."