The United States Soccer Federation is reportedly planning to make Pep Guardiola "a top target" for its men's national team head coaching vacancy, according to a report from The Athletic. The move comes with Mauricio Pochettino, the current USMNT head coach, in advanced talks to succeed Michael Carrick at Manchester United.
Guardiola is regarded as one of the greatest managers in European football history, having won titles during spells with Barcelona between 2008 and 2012, Bayern Munich between 2013 and 2016, and Manchester City from 2016 to 2026. Across those 17 years he collected three Champions League titles, six Premier League titles, three LaLiga titles and three Bundesliga titles.
Guardiola left Manchester City at the end of the 2025-26 season after saying he no longer had the "energy" to compete for titles in the Premier League. He is not currently managing a club and instead serves as a global ambassador and advisor for clubs within the City Football Group, which includes Manchester City, Girona, Melbourne and New York City FC.
Manchester United have not officially sacked Carrick, and the club has not made official contact with U.S. Soccer regarding Pochettino's contract. Pochettino is still expected to coach the United States men's national team in their upcoming Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal matches against Haiti.
Manchester United reportedly reached a preliminary agreement with Pochettino to become their new manager, with the club's board said to be preparing to dismiss Carrick during the international break following poor Premier League results, according to an earlier report.
