Pochettino in frame to become United States manager

Mauricio Pochettino is one of the men being considered as a potential replacement for Gregg Berhalter as USA national team boss.

Berhalter, 51, was axed in the wake of USA’s group-stage elimination from the Copa America.

US Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker has been leading the search for a successor.

German side Hoffenheim released a statement on Tuesday from their manager, New Jersey-born Pellegrino Matarazzo, stating he was committed to the club after intense speculation he was close to being appointed.

Crocker spent time at Southampton when Pochettino was in charge at St Mary’s.

Along with others, it is understood the 52-year-old Argentine has spoken to US officials. Sources have said the idea of naming the former Tottenham, Paris St-Germain and Chelsea boss has not been dismissed, even though he would command a high salary.

The USA next have a friendly against Copa America semi-finalists Canada on 7 September.

Canada coach, and former Leeds United boss, Jesse Marsch was also spoken to about the USA job prior to Berhalter being re-appointed in June.

In the wake of Berhalter’s dismissal, Marsch subsequently said he had “no interest” in the vacancy and wouldn’t have without a shift in US Soccer as an organisation.