Mauricio Pochettino has spoken to press for the first time since putting pen to paper as the new United States Men’s National Team manager. Here is what the new boss in the states had to say.
U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson on Pochettino: “This is something that everyone who has been involved in soccer in America should be proud of. You, whether directly or indirectly, made today possible.”
Pochettino on his new job: “I am really happy to be here, because I think it’s an amazing project and challenge that we have ahead. I am so excited, I am so happy.”
On which players will have a chance to get called up: “Every player now has the door open. If they perform we are going to be there watching.”
On the play style of his teams: “We are flexible. We’re a coaching staff that wants to play good football. To convince our fans to join us, the aesthetic is important. We want to play nice football, attacking football.”
On working with USWNT coach Emma Hayes: “We have Emma, for me, the best coach. I want to say hello, Emma, I don’t know if you’re here or not.”
On his aspirations as USMNT coach: “I think is it’s about creating something special. That is the most important thing. We are here because we want to win. We are a very successful coaching staff.”
On further aspirations: “We need to believe we can win. Not win just a game, but to win the World Cup.We want players to arrive on day one thinking big.”
On if he will live in the USA: “The idea is to live here in the USA. But of course, for different reasons we are going to be between Europe and the USA, for watching players.”
On joining the growing history of coaches from Argentina in the USA: “Soccer is about emotion, and who better than an Argentine to translate that emotion?”
On adding to his staff: “We are always flexible and open to adding people, because football is always changing.”
On preparations in the coming years: “The priority is going to be to arrive in the best condition for the World Cup. That is a principal objective now.”
On why he took the USMNT job: “If you say to me I need to pick only one sentence here, one word, because we believe.”
On motivating his team: “Belief for me is a word that is so powerful. You can have an enormous talent, and you can be clever. In football, you need to believe, believe that all is possible. We find a way to believe altogether and I think we can for sure we will achieve.”