Reports suggesting that United States men`s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino interviewed for the vacant manager position at Premier League side Brentford have been explicitly denied, according to Fox Sports.
Pochettino addressed the rumors on Saturday, following a report from Ireland that had named him as a potential candidate just before the team`s Gold Cup quarterfinal match against Costa Rica. While Pochettino boasts a successful past in the Premier League, having managed clubs like Southampton, Tottenham, and Chelsea, he only recently took the helm of the USMNT in September 2023, succeeding Gregg Berhalter, and is currently under contract through the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup.
Brentford recently concluded their search for a new head coach, appointing Keith Andrews to replace Thomas Frank, making them the final team in the Premier League to confirm their managerial setup.
Regarding the speculation, Pochettino was quoted in the report as saying, “This club never contacted me. I never talked to them.”
Although this denial doesn`t definitively rule out Pochettino being on Brentford`s initial shortlist, his status as a contracted national team coach means any official approach would first require communication with U.S. Soccer. With Pochettino currently focused on a tournament crucial for evaluating players ahead of the 2026 World Cup, such reports represent an unnecessary distraction at a time when his complete attention is needed for the team and player development.
For the USMNT, while the results under Pochettino haven`t yet fully met the expectations of all observers, he remains arguably the team`s best prospect for success at the upcoming World Cup. A change in leadership now would severely limit the time available for a new manager to implement their strategies with the national squad. Competing in the Gold Cup, especially while missing key players, is undoubtedly a challenge. However, a strong showing could significantly alter the perception around the team, approximately one year out from what is widely considered the most important World Cup in the history of the national team program.
