Mauricio Pochettino nearing deal to return as USMNT coach after World Cup run

It appears the U.S.has won Mauricio Pochettino over.The Argentine is nearing a four-year deal to remain the USMNT coach after their run to the Round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup on home soil, The Athletic reported Wednesday morning.The deal would take him through the 2030 World Cup — assuming he doesn’t try to bolt for a European club job before then.Telemundo’s Andres Cantor first mentioned Tuesday that talks were “going well and the intention is to be able to announce it soon” ahead of matches in September and October.Pochettino, 54, led the USMNT to their first knockout-round victory at a World Cup since 2002 with their win over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the new Round of 32.The USMNT then crashed out in an ugly 4-1 loss to Belgium in the Round of 16, leading some to wonder whether Pochettino would return after the team failed to break through the same barrier that halted them in 2010, ’14 and ’22.But the U.S.

soccer federation reportedly offered Pochettino a new contract before the start of the World Cup, with his contract expiring after the tournament....