Pochettino's struggles with work in the US national team. How does Chelsea factor in?

The former Chelsea head coach Mauricio Pochettino has already agreed to work for the US national team. But so far the Argentine specialist has not signed a contract with the American federation. And here's why.

The issue, as reported by The Athletic, is the severance pay that Pochettino was entitled to after his dismissal from Chelsea. It is more than the Argentine's expected salary in the U.S. national team, so the parties are now looking for a solution to this problem.

There are several options. Either the difference between salary and severance pay will be paid by Chelsea themselves, or it will be done by sponsors. Such can be the clubs of MLS, as it was done by Canadian clubs with the head coach of the local national team Jesse Marsch.

Those donated one and a half million dollars to the association, which allowed the Canadian federation to conclude an agreement with Marsh. But this scenario with Pochettino and the U.S. national team is unlikely, as MLS clubs are unwilling to sponsor the Argentine's invitation.

Outside sponsors could also help. There is precedent for this too: when Lionel Messi moved to Inter Miami in 2023, the transfer was facilitated by the player being offered revenue sharing with some key MLS partners, including Apple, Adidas and clothing company Fanatics.

Pochettino's contract with the US national team is believed to be agreed by the American federation as early this week.