U.S. Soccer weighs how to use Pochettino buyout funds

U.S. Soccer has not said whether the $10 million Manchester United paid to end Mauricio Pochettino’s contract early will help pay for his successor. Batson said the funds could support hiring coaches, youth national team programs and coaching education, and would be invested where they could have the greatest impact on the federation’s goals.

Pochettino’s four-year extension, signed in August after the World Cup, included the buyout clause activated when Manchester United moved to hire the Argentine as its manager. Batson spoke about the payment at a news conference in Fayetteville, Georgia, on November 13.

Batson will join chief operating officer Dan Helfrich, alongside Emma Hayes, who leads the U.S. women’s side, and Oguchi Onyewu, an assistant sporting director, in selecting the next men’s team coach. The search is set to begin after the November international window, but U.S. Soccer has not given a date for completing it.

The team is due to finish its Concacaf Nations League games against Haiti before a likely break from competitive matches until March. Steve Cherundolo will lead a December training camp featuring a friendly with Jamaica in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

U.S. Soccer has said it wants to win major tournaments. Batson described the coaching role as an opportunity to make a lasting mark. Pep Guardiola has emerged as a reported leading candidate, and hiring a coach of his profile could put the buyout funds in play.