Pep Guardiola is negotiating a potential role as head coach of the United States men’s national team, according to a report by TalkSport.
US Soccer Federation president JT Batson and vice president Oguchi Onyewu identified Guardiola as their top choice to succeed Mauricio Pochettino, TalkSport reported. Pochettino recently left the role to take over at Manchester United, creating a vacancy atop the American program.
Discussions between Guardiola’s representatives and federation officials are scheduled to begin next week. Emma Hayes, head coach of the United States women’s national team, is also involved in the recruitment process, according to TalkSport.
Guardiola concluded a decade-long stint at Manchester City last summer, securing six Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League trophy in 2023. Upon his departure, the 55-year-old manager stated he intended to take a sabbatical from coaching, leaving the duration of his break unspecified.
It remains unconfirmed whether Guardiola would cut his four-and-half-month break short to take charge of the United States team. Taking the position would mark his first assignment managing a national side.
Should negotiations with Guardiola stall, the federation maintains alternative targets for the coaching vacancy. Roberto Martínez is also under consideration by US Soccer officials, according to TalkSport.
Martínez most recently managed the Portugal national team, departing after their elimination in the round of 16 at the World Cup.
The 53-year-old previously managed the Belgium national team from 2016 to 2022, alongside Premier League stints with Everton, Wigan Athletic, and Swansea City.
The federation has not yet finalized a timeline for naming Pochettino’s permanent successor.
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