Pochettino warned ‘there’s a lot of things that need to change’ by ex-Chelsea star after he’s named USA manager

FORMER Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has been confirmed as the new USA manager.

But he’s been warned “there’s a lot of things that need to change” in a chilling message from ex-Blues star Christian Pulisic.

Pochettino, 52, quit Stamford Bridge at the end of last season after just one year at the helm.

He led the Blues to a sixth-place finish after bouncing back in the second half of the campaign.

But Poch left Chelsea by mutual consent after his views for the future failed to align with those of the owners.

He was then strongly linked with replacing Erik ten Hag at Manchester United before the Dutchman was handed a reprieve.

And Pochettino has now returned to the beautiful game in a shock move as the new manager of the USA.

The national team is currently ranked 16th in the world.

But they have endured a miserable time on the field recently.

Former boss Gregg Berhalter was fired in July after the hosts were knocked out of the Copa America in the group stages following defeats to Panama and Uruguay.

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They have since been under the watchful eye of interim boss Michael Anthony Varas.

But his brief tenure saw the USA lose at home to Canada before drawing with New Zealand last night.

However, fans were treated to some good news at the clash with the Kiwis when Pochettino was confirmed as the USA’s first foreign coach since Jurgen Klinsmann in 2016.

The Athletic claims he emerged as their No1 target following “multiple meetings” with ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

And with the nation co-hosting the upcoming 2026 World Cup, Poch declared: “The decision to join US Soccer wasn’t just about football for me; it’s about the journey that this team and this country are on.

“The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here – those are the things that inspired me.

“The opportunity to lead the US men’s national team, in front of fans who are just as passionate as the players, is something I couldn’t pass up.

“I see a group of players full of talent and potential, and together, we’re going to build something special that the whole nation can be proud of.”

But Pochettino was warned by AC Milan star and USA captain Pulisic that there is plenty to change on and off the pitch.

The ex-Chelsea winger said: “Hopefully he can bring a culture that’s willing to fight, to take risks, win.

“There’s a lot of things that need to change and just the mentality and culture of the group.

“I think we have the quality but hopefully that’s the first thing he’s going to want to change.”

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk