USMNT fans are starting to get impatient, but Mauricio Pochettino looks more and more likely to be the new USMNT manager. The former Chelsea manager is still finalizing his departure from his previous position, and when everything is settled, the Argentine should be announced by US Soccer.
Influenced by Marcelo Bielsa, Pochettino is a hard-nosed coach who pushes his players to be professional on and off the field. The former PSG boss is also known for elevating younger talents, as did Bielsa.
In speaking with CBS Golazo, promising future USMNT goalkeeper Gaga Slonina, who worked briefly with Pochettino at Chelsea, knows that Pochettino is a massive upgrade for the program.
Gaga Slonina on Pochettino
āCamps are going to be tough, thatās for sure. Heās a guy that pushes his players to work off the field in training. How you train is how you play; I think thatās the mindset he goes into it with.
ā(Pochettino is) a very tactical-minded coach. I think itās going to be very difficult to adapt to that and everything, but the players will pick it up. There are class players on the USMNT, so itās going to be a change for sure, but one that weāll be able to adapt to,ā Slonina stated to CBS.
Mauricio Pochettino, Manager of PSG
Slonina, who is only 20, is considered by many to be one of the top goalkeeping prospects in the world. After making his debut with the Chicago Fire in MLS, the Addison, Illinois, native was sold to Chelsea but has yet to make a first-team appearance. Instead, he was loaned to Eupen in Belgium last season, where he received rave reviews.
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USMNT: Mauricio Pochettino will be named new manager according to sources: A look at the modern-day coaches of the program
This season, Gaga is with Barnsley in EFL League One, where he has started off strongly, earning a man of the match award after the teamās first game. Many pundits are pushing for Slonina to start getting games with the full national team given the USMNTās current goalkeeper pool.
