When USMNT coaches make their debuts, all eyes are on them to see how they fare. Mauricio Pochettino is the latest coach to take charge of the US national team, and he will lead them into battle against Panama this coming Saturday.
Pochettino, known for his successful stints at Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain, will be eager to make a winning start with the USMNT. The pressure is on for him to deliver results and begin his tenure on a positive note.
In the past, USMNT coaches have had varying degrees of success in their debuts. Some have been able to claim victory right out of the gate, while others have stumbled in their first matches in charge.
Jurgen Klinsmann, who coached the USMNT from 2011 to 2016, had a successful debut when he led the team to a 1-0 win over Venezuela. Klinsmann’s positive start set the tone for his tenure with the national team and he went on to achieve some notable results during his time in charge.
On the other hand, Bob Bradley, who coached the USMNT from 2006 to 2011, had a less impressive debut, with his team falling to a 2-0 defeat against Denmark. Despite this setback, Bradley was able to bounce back and find success with the national team, including leading them to the final of the 2009 Confederations Cup.
As Pochettino prepares to take charge of his first game with the USMNT, he will be looking to join the ranks of coaches who have started their tenures with a victory. The pressure will be on for him to deliver a positive result and set the tone for his time in charge.
In the words of Pochettino himself, “I am excited to take on this new challenge with the USMNT and I am hoping for a successful debut against Panama.”
With the eyes of the footballing world watching, all eyes will be on Pochettino as he leads the USMNT into battle on Saturday. Only time will tell if he can join the list of winners in their debuts as a USMNT coach.