Mauricio Pochettino’s return to the Premier League has set the United States men’s national team on the hunt for a new head coach. U.S. Soccer confirmed that the Argentine will step down after the two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti.
Pep Guardiola has emerged as one of the names in the frame. The Spaniard left Manchester City in the summer after a decade in charge and 20 trophies, while U.S. Soccer is looking for a coach to lead the team through the 2030 World Cup cycle.
Speaking on the Unfiltered Soccer podcast, Tim Howard and Landon Donovan both argued against appointing Guardiola, questioning how his methods would suit the players at his disposal and the rebuild facing the national team over the next four years.
“Guardiola is definitely not the right coach for this team,” Howard said. “He’s succeeded with top-tier players, while ours are probably in the third tier globally.” Looking back on his own playing career, Howard put himself in that same category.
The former Manchester United and Everton goalkeeper pointed to Guardiola’s spells at Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City, where he had elite players at his disposal. Howard questioned whether he could replicate that success with a less experienced squad.
“Pep is an exceptional coach, but this move wouldn’t suit the U.S. national team,” Donovan said. He also questioned how Guardiola would get through to 18-year-olds after spending his career working with some of the best players in the world.
Howard recalled a conversation with one of Manchester City’s captains about what Guardiola demanded of his players day to day. “He’s shattered the confidence of players who would easily be the best on our national team,” Howard said, adding that he could see Guardiola growing frustrated before the end of a full cycle with the United States.
Pochettino will sign off with the two games against Haiti on November 14 and 17 before taking charge of Manchester United on November 18. Guardiola remains among the names linked with the vacancy.
