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The wait for a new United States men’s national team head coach is over as Mauricio Pochettino if officially in charge. The Pochettino USMNT salary details reveal that he's the highest paid U.S. head coach in history.
Mauricio Pochettino USMNT salary details
According to ESPN, the Argentine coach will rake in $6 million a year on a two-year contract that will see him in charge through the home World Cup in 2026. The salary is more than double what former head coach Gregg Berhalter made not including his $900,000 World Cup bonuses.
In 2022 Berhalter was paid $2.29 million (not including the bonuses).
Where did the money come from to pay for Pochettino? Two billionaires aided in the cause.
In a statement from U.S. Soccer announcing the new head coach, it was revealed how the deal was made possible.
“Pochettino’s appointment is supported in significant part by a philanthropic leadership gift from Kenneth C. Griffin, Founder and CEO of Citadel and Founder of Griffin Catalyst. Additional support has been provided by Scott Goodwin, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Diameter, and several commercial partners,” U.S. Soccer said in a statement.
Griffin has a net worth of $43 billion according to Forbes while Goodwin is also a billionaire.
Without the “philanthropic leadership gift” from these two it’s unlikely Pochettino would’ve joined the USMNT. If the USMNT reach new highs under Poch's watch then these two unsung financial heroes will be to thank.
The move is still a significant pay cut for the head coach who was making $13 million a year with his previous club Chelsea.
"The decision to join U.S. Soccer wasn't just about football for me; it's about the journey that this team and this country are on," Pochettino said in a statement. "The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here -- those are the things that inspired me. The opportunity to lead the U.S. men's national team, in front of fans who are just as passionate as the players, is something I couldn't pass up.
"I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we're going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of."
