Mauricio Pochettino says Emma Hayes is the ‘best coach in the world’ as he hails ‘amazing’ USWNT benchmark

He was full of praise for the former Chelsea manager

Pochettino took over the United States men’s national team earlier this month and has set his sites on winning the World Cup in 2026.

His predecessor Gregg Berhalter left after the US exited in the group stages of the Copa America.

In his first press conference as head coach, Pochettino was full of hope and said his players have to ‘believe we can win the World Cup’ before suggesting they follow the example set by the women’s team.

The women’s team have won a record four World Cup titles in addition to five Olympic golds compared to the men’s team who have never won the World Cup and last made it to the quarter-finals in 2002.

Emma Hayes who took over as manager of the USA women’s team at the conclusion of last season’s WSL led her side on an unbeaten run to secure the gold medal at the Paris 2024.

Pochettino said: “One of the most important things we need to aspire to is the women’s team.

“We have Emma, for me, the best coach in the world. They have won everything, and we need to match that.”

Hayes spent 12 years at Chelsea winning the league seven times, the FA Cup five times and the league cup twice.

Pochettino and Hayes’ paths have crossed before as both managers were at Chelsea together last season.

The 51-year-old’s comments come after Hayes recently hit the headlines after saying she ‘sees so much of herself’ in legendary United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Pochettino’s first game in charge will be against Panama in Austin before they travel away to Mexico next month.

It is less than two years until their opening game at the 2026 World Cup.

He said: “We need to believe we can win the World Cup. ‘Believe’ for me is a word that is so powerful.

“You can have enormous talent, but in football, you need to believe. Believe that all is possible. If we find a way to believe all together, then we can achieve what we want.”