USA boss Mauricio Pochettino in talks with return to club football weeks before World Cup

United States men's national team boss Mauricio Pochettino has entered preliminary discussions with AC Milan about their vacant managerial position following the club's parting ways with Massimiliano Allegri.The 54-year-old Argentine will lead the national team as they prepare for the World Cup, which will be staged across the US, Canada and Mexico this summer.His deal with America expires once the tournament concludes, opening the door for a potential return to club management.His most recent club position saw him manage Chelsea during the 2023-24 campaign, guiding the Blues to a sixth-place Premier League finish and reaching the League Cup final. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Prior to his Stamford Bridge tenure, he spent 18 months at Paris Saint-Germain, claiming both the Ligue 1 championship and the French Cup.His reputation was largely built during five and a half years at Tottenham, culminating in the 2019 Champions League final, where Spurs suffered a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool.Milan dismissed Allegri following a campaign their leadership branded as an unequivocal failure after the club failed to secure Champions League football.The Italian side fell from third to fifth in the Serie A standings, with a 2-1 home loss against Cagliari on the season's final matchday proving decisive.LATEST SPORTS NEWSCrystal Palace chief declares Conference League victory 'one for the good guys'Jannik Sinner out of French Open in huge upset after suffering with cramp when serving for matchBritain to host Ballon d'Or ceremony for first time as award celebrates its 70th anniversaryDespite the disappointment, Milan did manage to claim a Europa League berth for next season, offering some consolation following what proved to be a deeply frustrating campaign at the San Siro.Pochettino's World Cup squad as US manager has already sparked fierce debate after the Argentine made two major selection decisions that stunned supporters ahead of the tournament.The Tottenham boss officially unveiled his 26-man squad during a fan event in New York earlier this week as excitement builds ahead of the World Cup arriving on American soil.Hundreds of supporters gathered at Pier 17 in Manhattan for the announcement ceremony, with players introduced individually on stage while fans waved flags, held signs and celebrated in the sunshine.But while the atmosphere remained upbeat throughout the event, controversy surrounding Pochettino's selections quickly dominated discussion among supporters in attendance.One fan even held up a sign reading: Poch We Want Diego Luna during the live broadcast after the Real Salt Lake attacker emerged as one of the most surprising omissions from the squad.Luna had been widely expected to travel to the World Cup following impressive performances for both club and country over the past year.The 22-year-old enjoyed a strong Gold Cup campaign in 2025 and registered four goals alongside one assist in nine MLS appearances this season.His absence became even more notable given that he had recently appeared prominently in promotional campaigns for both Nike and Fox Sports ahead of the tournament.Instead, Pochettino opted to include Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Gio Reyna despite the American enduring another difficult season in Europe.Pochettino's second major gamble came in midfield, where he surprisingly overlooked Tanner Tessmann while selecting a relatively light group of central options.Only four midfielders were included in the squad, with Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie expected to start alongside MLS-based pair Cristian Roldan and Sebastian Berhalter.Berhalter's selection attracted immediate attention, given he is the son of former USMNT boss Gregg Berhalter, who was dismissed after the United States' disappointing Copa America campaign in 2024. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter