U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson isn\u2019t perturbed by Mauricio Pochettino\u2019s meeting with AC Milan over their vacant managerial position, insisting that the USMNT<\/a> head coach is “very focused” on the upcoming World Cup. <\/p>\n Pochettino is said to have met with Milan\u2019s representatives just before he disclosed his 26-man roster for the upcoming tournament<\/a>. The Argentine initially denied that any meeting took place before backtracking and reasserting his commitment to the USMNT.<\/p>\n While World Cup fever is yet to envelop the United States, there\u2019s optimism that Pochettino\u2019s side could enjoy a prosperous campaign this summer. The U.S. has been drawn into a mightily competitive Group D alongside Paraguay, Australia and T\u00fcrkiye. It\u2019s a group the USMNT could quite easily top, but also fail miserably in amid heightened expectations. <\/p>\n The head coach is their grand attraction, and clubs have flirted with Pochettino since he took the national team job. Milan, who parted ways with Massimiliano Allegri at the end of the season, are merely the latest to engage.<\/p>\n Pochettino took the USMNT job in September 2024 and has won 13 of his 22 games at the helm. His contract expires after the World Cup<\/a>. <\/p>\n While the timing of Pochettino\u2019s reported talks with Milan is far from ideal, with the start of the tournament less than two weeks out, the aforementioned Batson has played down the significance of the meeting, suggesting that the Argentine has been \u201ctransparent about club interest\u201d and opened the door to a contract extension. <\/p>\n \u201cEven when we first met a couple summers ago, there were lots of other people interested in having Mauricio and [his staff] join,\u201d the chief executive told assembled reporters. \u201cHe had standing offers from other places to come, and he wanted to be here. He\u2019s a big believer in what we\u2019re doing at U.S. Soccer, he\u2019s a big believer in soccer in America, and he\u2019s a big believer in this men\u2019s team.<\/p>\n \u201cThroughout this, Mauricio and team have been incredibly transparent, they\u2019ve been great partners, and we\u2019re, of course, excited about the summer,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Two USMNT players, Timothy Weah and Tyler Adams, echoed Batson\u2019s sentiment, with the former suggesting that Pochettino\u2019s uncertain future \u201cdoesn\u2019t bother\u201d the group.<\/p>\n Pochettino got himself into a bit of a muddle with reporters about the Milan debacle on Thursday, gradually admitting that a meeting with the Italian club may have taken place after first suggesting there was no truth in the reports. He hinted that his representatives spoke to the Rossoneri on his behalf, and didn\u2019t completely deny whether he\u2019d spoken to them himself.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen and with who?\u201d Pochettino asked. \u201cIf I met someone, what happens? What is going to change? My contract finishes in July. If the federation wants to talk with me about the future, it\u2019s similar. It\u2019s a similar thing.\u201d<\/p>\n The 54-year-old insisted that he remains \u201copen\u201d to extending his contract with U.S. Soccer, and laughed off the idea that he isn\u2019t committed to the national team heading into the World Cup.<\/p>\n \u201cIf I don\u2019t have commitment, what am I doing here? If I have the possibility to [go to] another club?\u201d he rhetorically asked. <\/p>\n \u201cIt is disrespectful. Because I am here. I am here. I am not going to go away tomorrow. If another club came and said, \u2018We want you, but you have to start tomorrow.\u2019 I say, \u2018Sorry, I committed with the national team.\u2019 Whether it\u2019s the best club in the world. They can give me all the promises. I am not going to change.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nMauricio Pochettino USMNT Contract Extension Remains a Possibility<\/h2>\n
\nHow Mauricio Pochettino Reacted to Milan Meeting Reports<\/h2>\n
\nREAD THE LATEST USMNT NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC<\/h3>\n
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