Billionaire Hedge Fund Manager Ken Griffin, Who Funded the Initial Contract, Will Again Be the Primary Backer

Mauricio Pochettino has signed a contract extension with the US Soccer Federation that keeps him as head coach of the men’s national team through 2030, the federation announced Monday. The deal ends months of negotiations that began well before the USMNT’s last-16 exit at this summer’s World Cup, with talks intensifying after the tournament. Financial terms were not disclosed, but Pochettino is expected to earn more than the $6m per year from his previous deal, already the largest outlay for a US head coach.

Billionaire hedge fund manager Ken Griffin, who funded the initial contract, will again be the primary backer. A source described Pochettino’s return as an “expanded role, with his staff focusing on the senior team while also advising on youth soccer, coaching education, and other technical areas. “It has become clear to us that there is tremendous potential to make the men’s national team program even stronger, Pochettino said.

The US opened the World Cup with a 4-1 win over Paraguay, followed by strong showings against Australia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, before being outclassed by Belgium. Pochettino, who clashed publicly with some players, including Christian Pulisic, and had dust-ups with reporters, said after the Belgium loss: “It was amazing, this journey. It still hasn’t been two years working here.

And we all know that a process is about a four-year cycle. His record with the US stands at 18 wins, 12 losses, and one draw.”””