Mauricio Pochettino laid it out plain and simple – he didn’t budge when Christian Pulisic wanted to join the US squad for friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland. The reason? Pulisic felt “tired” and wanted a lighter preseason to prep for the 2026 World Cup.
At a press conference previewing the US team’s match against Trinidad and Tobago, Pochettino made his stance clear. “I’m the coach, not a puppet,” he said. The Argentinian coach wasn’t having it when Pulisic offered to play in the friendlies on June 7 and 11, but not in the Gold Cup.
Pochettino thinks players should follow the plan, not make their own rules. “It’s up to the Federation to decide if a player needs rest,” he explained. “We have sports medicine professionals for that.”
Pochettino also sent a message to Pulisic: prove yourself on the field. “You journalists say he’s our best player. Okay, he’s a good player, but he needs to show it. If he plays well, he’s got a spot on the team. But he doesn’t get to decide whether he plays or not.” The coach made it clear: he’s in charge, not the players.
What’s next for Pulisic and the US team?
Pochettino’s stance has sparked debate about player power and coach control. As the US team gears up for the Gold Cup, one thing is certain – Pochettino is calling the shots.
- Pulisic’s decision to skip the Gold Cup has raised eyebrows
- Pochettino’s response has ignited a discussion about player-coach dynamics
- The US team faces Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, with Pochettino at the helm