Mauricio Pochettino admission leaves Gary Neville surprised after Chelsea departure

Mauricio Pochettino was named the new USA manager earlier this month and has already outlined his targets for the 2026 World Cup after speaking to Gary Neville

Gary Neville is sceptical about Mauricio Pochettino's ambitious plans with the United States national team following his shock Chelsea exit. His appointment came as a surprise to some following his previous high-profile club roles, although Emma Hayes has made a similar career move by taking charge of the US women's team.

The Argentine has wasted no time in setting a lofty goal for the USMNT at the 2026 World Cup, which the US will jointly host with Canada and Mexico. A few weeks into his tenure, in an interview with Neville on The Overlap US YouTube channel, Pochettino expressed clear intentions for the side.

"The truth is, the quarter-final is the target," said Pochettino. "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."

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The US men's team have only ever reached the last eight of a World Cup twice, most recently back in 2002. And Neville suspects Pochettino is aiming too high in his first international manager's role.

"I got to the semi-finals once in the Euros," said Neville. "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!

"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."

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