Former U.S. Men's National Team manager Bruce Arena has voiced doubts over Mauricio Pochettino's appointment as head coach, suggesting that the Argentine may not fully grasp the unique challenges of leading the American squad.
Pochettino, known for his spells at Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain, and most recently Chelsea, took over the U.S. national team in September 2024, following the departure of Gregg Berhalter.
Speaking on the Unfiltered Soccer podcast alongside former U.S. internationals Landon Donovan and Tim Howard, Arena argued that international sides typically succeed under domestic leadership.
“If you look at most national teams around the world, their coaches are from that country,” said Arena. “When you bring in someone unfamiliar with our culture, environment, and players, it becomes difficult. I’m sure Pochettino is a top coach, but managing a national team is not the same as managing a club—it’s an entirely different job.”
Arena, now 73, has deep roots in U.S. soccer. He famously led the team to the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup—its best modern-era finish—but also oversaw the team’s failure to qualify for the 2018 tournament during a disappointing second stint in 2017. Currently managing the San Jose Earthquakes, he remains one of Major League Soccer’s most decorated coaches, with five league titles to his name.
Still, Arena believes that understanding the U.S. soccer landscape is crucial to success at the national level.
“When you're the national team coach, you need to know the terrain. You need to know the players—not just their talent, but who they are and where they come from,” he said. “An American coach brings that understanding, that sense of pride, and knows how deeply this team matters to the country. When someone comes from outside, especially to a country as unique as ours, that perspective is often missing.”
Arena also criticized recent performances under Pochettino, specifically referencing the U.S. team’s losses to Panama and Canada in the CONCACAF Nations League.
“I was shocked,” he admitted. “Shocked that we couldn’t beat Panama and Canada. That’s not where we should be.”
Despite his concerns, Arena emphasized that he wants the national team to succeed, especially with the clock ticking toward the 2026 World Cup, which the U.S. will co-host alongside Canada and Mexico.
“I’m not trying to be disrespectful. I want them to succeed on the world stage. But there’s only a year left. Time is running out. They need to get moving.”
Arena, who previously criticized former coach Jürgen Klinsmann’s tenure for similar reasons, has long advocated for a homegrown approach to the U.S. national team. His latest remarks reinforce a growing debate about the role of foreign managers in shaping American soccer’s future.