New United States men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino believes that one of his team’s biggest inspirations should be the U.S. women’s national team.
Pochettino spoke at his first press conference on Friday since officially being announced as the new USMNT head coach. Expectations are high for the world-renowned manager as he tries to get this team in poor form prepared for the biggest tournament of their lives in two years.
Who does the USMNT need to try to be like? The U.S. women, according to Pochettino.
Pochettino USWNT quote
"We need to match you."
USMNT's Mauricio Pochettino praises the accomplishments of Emma Hayes and the @USWNT ⬇️via @USMNT pic.twitter.com/lUcwGLL4E6
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) September 13, 2024
Great answer from Mauricio Pochettino from @PaulTenorio's Q on culture and what to instill for USMNT. He uses Emma Hayes and USWNT as an example and what can be learned from them.
— Luis Miguel Echegaray (@lmechegaray) September 13, 2024
“For me one of the most important things we need to aspire (to be) is the women’s team,” Pochettino said. “We have Emma (Hayes) who for me is the best coach in the world.”
The 52-year-old Argentine had high praise for the USWNT and their new head coach Emma Hayes. Last season Pochettino and Hayes both coached Chelsea’s men’s and women’s teams, respectively.
Hayes joined the USWNT in May and had just four games to prepare for the Olympics. She led the U.S. to their first gold medal in women’s soccer in 12 years.
“We have the best women’s team in history who’ve won everything. We need to match you,” Pochettino said in the direction of United States Soccer Federation president and 1999 Women’s World Cup winner Cindy Parlow Cone.
The USWNT are one of the most dominant teams in the world with four World Cup titles and five Olympic gold medals.
