ANKARA 

Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed as the head coach of the US Men's National Football Team, US Soccer announced on Tuesday.

The 52-year-old coach expressed his excitement about the new role, calling it an opportunity he "couldn't pass up."

"The energy, the passion, and the hunger to achieve something truly historic here — those are the things that inspired me," Pochettino said in a statement.

"The opportunity to lead the US Men's National Team, in front of fans who are just as passionate as the players, is something I couldn't pass up."

Pochettino takes over the US.squad after a high-profile coaching career in Europe, where he managed teams such as Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

His achievements include winning the 2021 French Cup and securing the 2021-22 French Ligue 1 title with PSG. He also guided Tottenham to the UEFA Champions League final in 2019, where they lost 2-0 to Liverpool.

US Soccer Sporting Director Matt Crocker praised the hiring of Pochettino, highlighting his ability to develop players and build competitive teams.

"Mauricio is a serial winner with a deep passion for player development and a proven ability to build cohesive and competitive teams," Crocker said. "His track record speaks for itself, and I am confident that he is the right choice to harness the immense potential within our talented squad."

Pochettino's move to the US follows his departure from Chelsea in June.