Gary Neville surprised at Mauricio Pochettino admission after Chelsea exit
Mauricio Pochettino has been chosen as the man who'll lead the US men's national side into the 2026 World Cup, but his goal for the tournament has raised the eyebrows of Gary Neville
by Ben Crawford · The MirrorGary Neville was surprised to learn that Mauricio Pochettino aims to make the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup with the United States.
Pochettino was named the new manager of the USMNT earlier this month, replacing Gregg Berhalter. His appointment caught some off guard, given his recent high-profile roles at PSG and Chelsea after leaving Tottenham in 2019.
The Argentine's departure from Stamford Bridge in May surprised plenty, particularly given the way the Blues finished the season. The 52-year-old wasted no time in getting back on the managerial horse by becoming the USA's new boss, mirroring the switch made by Emma Hayes from west London.
Having been in the role for a few weeks, Pochettino sat down with Gary Neville to discuss his aims for the team with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, which the USA will largely host. He revealed that he and his staff are aiming to guide the USMNT to the quarter-finals at the World Cup for only the third time in their history and for the first time since 2002.
"The truth is, the quarter-final is the target," Pochettino revealed, speaking to Neville on The Overlap US YouTube channel. "They were very clear, and I am very honest to translate.
"I think that was the idea, the challenge. They know that it's going to be difficult, but I am a person, and we are people that we really believe that we can add things to a group that is talented – that they can perform better. Yes, we accept the challenge.
"Already you see the USA, is massive, big. In all sports, they compete to win with great athletes. The women’s team is the best, one of the best. That also was another key factor is a challenge.
"Because, I like this type of challenge to say, come on, why not provide the men’s team this capacity to compete better, because I think we have good players, they play good football. But, if you want to win, you need to compete better."
After speaking to the former Chelsea boss, Neville revealed that he was slightly sceptical over the USA’s chances, indicating that such a goal may have even been akin to England sides of old.
"I got to the semi-finals once in the Euros,” Neville added. “But England would be happy getting to the quarter-finals of World Cups more often than not. The quarter-finals are getting to the last eight in the world. You're amongst Germany, Argentina, and Brazil!"
Asked upfront if he was surprised at Pochettino’s admission, Neville stated: "I think it would be wrong if he said: ‘Let's get to the second round phase.’ It wouldn’t sound right, would it?
"I think there's an element of setting a bar that would be a real success. But, if he did get to the quarter-finals, that would be an unbelievable achievement with the current group of players that he's got."
The US are evidently aiming high as they welcome the World Cup to their shores in two years time – with matches set to be played across a range of host cities, including those in Canada and Mexico.
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