Pochettino is famously emotional, and nobody in attendance had to wait long for the waterworks – they came during his introductory remarks, as he thanked the US Soccer executives flanking him for the opportunity to guide the US men.
asserted
he → have → men
He grew emotional again as he addressed his impending departure for Manchester United, one announced just hours earlier.
asserted
he → grow → United
“I think [the decision was],” Pochettino said, pausing to compose himself, “one of the most difficult decisions of our careers.
asserted
Pochettino → think → careers
The news conference read very much as a farewell to Pochettino, but there is still work to be done.
asserted
conference → read → Pochettino
The Argentinian will guide the USMNT through a pair of Concacaf Nations League quarter-final matches against Haiti on Saturday and Tuesday.
asserted
Argentinian → guide → Saturday
In the meantime, the future United coach did his best to address questions about his departure and what comes next.
asserted
what → do → departure
“These moments are not easy decisions,” a reflective Pochettino told the media.
asserted
Pochettino → tell → media
“Normally it’s the opposite.
asserted
it → ’ → ?
Normally you get sacked and you cry because you want to stay and you’re sacked by [the club].
asserted
you → sack → club
It’s a tough decision but at the same time we are excited for the next step forward.”
asserted
we → ’ → step
Pochettino characterized United’s interest and negotiations as having come together at the last minute, essentially, with contact between the two sides first made Sunday.
asserted
Pochettino → characterize → sides
“We cannot underestimate the staff and the players.
asserted
We → underestimate → staff
When things became big and big and big, the players are very sensitive and the staff are too – they start to feel things as well.
asserted
they → become → things
[Everything] was so quick, because we arrived here last Friday and Sunday afternoon this situation started to appear and some contact.
asserted
situation → arrive → ?
We were very transparent, we were talking with [US Soccer CEO] JT [Batson] and the federation.”
asserted
we → talk → Batson
Details were quickly ironed out between the sides, with the club and federation agreeing Pochettino would remain with the US through the upcoming matches.
“[
asserted
Pochettino → iron → matches
], when things were positive in the way the agreement was, we had a meeting and I communicated to the players and the whole staff.
asserted
I → have → players
I want to say thank you because they were very supportive and they really understand the situation and they know us – how committed we are for the next two games.
asserted
we → want → games
The decision between the federation and Manchester United, to agree that we’ll continue with our job in the camp; [nothing] can change our commitment and how important the next two games are.”
asserted
games → agree → commitment
Pochettino and the US federation touted his contract renewal in August as the start of something new and significant, with the coach given a larger role in the overall direction of the US men at every level.
asserted
coach → tout → level
That went by the wayside when United came knocking.
asserted
United → go → wayside
“They know that there are not too many opportunities that can happen in your career like [this one with Manchester United],” Pochettino said.
asserted
Pochettino → know → United
“When they arrive, it’s difficult to turn down.
asserted
it → arrive → ?
But I want to make it clear, when we decided together to [stay another four years], it was always the commitment for the federation, too.
asserted
it → want → federation
Maybe the four games [in the September/October window] if we lose them, maybe you start to put pressure [on me].
asserted
you → lose → me
“Or even in the future,” he continued, “Things can happen.
asserted
Things → continue → future
The federation and maybe new people arrive or don’t, or maybe have different ideas and you say, ‘We are thinking in different directions’ and maybe they say ‘Mauricio, maybe you need to go home.’
asserted
you → arrive → directions
We cannot think in these extremes – I think we were very committed and never thought this would happen so quickly.”
asserted
this → think → extremes
Pochettino was joined by Batson and US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone on Friday.
asserted
Pochettino → join → Friday
Batson was pressed on what will happen with the approximately $10m (£7.5m) Manchester United paid out for Pochettino’s services.
asserted
United → press → services
A significant portion of Pochettino’s $6m salary was subsidized by billionaire hedge fund manager and US Soccer donor Ken Griffin.
asserted
portion → subsidize → Griffin
It’s unclear whether that generosity will extend towards Pochettino’s successor.
uncertain
generosity → ’ → successor
“The agreement with Manchester United, those funds – as you all know, US Soccer is a nonprofit and those funds are used to help us hire great coaches,” Batson said.
asserted
Batson → know → coaches
“They help us do youth national team programs, coaching education …
asserted
us → help → programs
those funds are available for us to invest in order for us to make the biggest impact on our goals.
asserted
us → invest → goals
Our supporters, our sponsors, our donors, are fans are very supportive around making sure that we have the resources that we need to achieve our goals, including having a world-class coach.
asserted
we → make → coach
We are appreciative of that support and look forward to our way of winning going forwards.”
Pochettino’s legacy, of course, is still to be defined.
asserted
legacy → look → course
He was by no means a generational influence on the state of soccer in the US but he will be remembered fondly, by many, for a handful of standout performances and for guiding the US to a respectable, albeit disappointing, last-16 finish at this summer’s World Cup.
asserted
he → remember → Cup
Pochettino was reluctant at first to define his own legacy, telling reporters he was “not arrogant” before jokingly conceding that he is “well, a little bit arrogant, but not too much.”
asserted
he → define → reporters
“We don’t take a project to be remembered forever,” Pochettino said, “and to have a picture here at the training center.
asserted
Pochettino → take → center
…and 5 more, not listed.
The Aporia
