Pep Guardiola Is USMNT’s Primary Target If Pochettino Leaves, SPORT Says

Pep Guardiola has emerged as the primary target for the United States men’s national team should Mauricio Pochettino leave his post to manage Manchester United, according to reports from Sports Illustrated.

The potential managerial shift stems from Old Trafford, where club executives are reportedly preparing to part ways with Michael Carrick during the international window. Carrick’s side has managed just two victories in their last 10 Premier League fixtures, leaving the Red Devils down in 18th place with eight points despite a recent 4-4 draw against Aston Villa, as noted by Yahoo.

If Pochettino accepts the Manchester United vacancy, U.S. Soccer officials intend to make an aggressive run at Guardiola. Federation decision-makers are considering the former Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City manager as a candidate to replace the current leader for the 2030 cycle, SPORT reported.

Guardiola Considers Sabbatical After Manchester City Tenure

Landing the Catalan coach will not prove straightforward. Guardiola stepped down from Manchester City last summer after a glittering ten-year tenure that yielded 20 major trophies, including six Premier League crowns and the Champions League, leaving him unhurried to jump straight back into the dugout, Mundo Deportivo noted.

Earlier in the year, Guardiola turned down an approach from the Italian Football Federation to take over the Azzurri. Giovanni Malagò, president of the Italian federation, explained the rejection to La Repubblica.

“Pep was honest. He took a sabbatical year, in part for family reasons, but if he had done anything, he would have done it with us.”

said Malagò, president of the Italian federation, as reported by SPORT.

Guardiola also previously declined interest from the Brazilian Football Confederation after the 2022 World Cup and an inquiry from the English FA following Euro 2024, choosing instead to remain with Manchester City.

Deep Ties to New York Life

Despite his reluctance to rush back into coaching, Guardiola holds a well-documented affinity for the United States. Following his departure from Barcelona in 2012, he spent a sabbatical year living with his family in a luxury apartment near Central Park in New York, enjoying relative anonymity away from intense media scrutiny.

That prior stay and subsequent dialogues with American soccer officials mean the federation’s interest is met with an existing mutual familiarity. Récord said that U.S. Soccer believes his appreciation for the country’s sporting culture could aid their recruitment pitch.

For now, any formal approach remains contingent on Pochettino’s departure for Manchester United. U.S. Soccer has time to weigh its options as the qualification cycle for the 2030 World Cup has only just begun.

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