Who Is Pep Guardiola, Reported USMNT Managerial Candidate?

Tottenham Hotspur's Argentinian head coach Mauricio Pochettino (L) and Manchester City's Spanish manager Pep Guardiola talk after the VAR decision ruled out what would have benn Manchester's City's thrid goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on August 17, 2019. The match ended in a draw at 2-2. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / AFP via Getty ImagesIf you mostly tuned out of the U.S. men’s national team news following the 2026 World Cup and now find yourself scratching your eyes, staring at the news ticker on cable sports news and wondering, “Who is Pep Guardiola?” or “Why does USMNT need a new manager?” you’re in the right place.Here’s everything you need to know about the saga that has erupted this week and the very famous name circulated as the possible successor to the (for now) current USMNT manager, Mauricio Pochettino.Who Is Pep Guardiola?Basically, Guardiola is the world’s gold standard for soccer management at the international club level, but someone whose experience has come primarily from coaching the world’s biggest stars.The best North American parallels might be pro baseball’s Tony La Russa, pro basketball’s Phil Jackson, college basketball’s Rick Pitino or college football’s Nick Saban. In other words, guys who have achieved the highest heights at multiple stops.Guardiola has won prolifically at three stops; FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich and most recently Manchester City. In total, the Spaniard owns 12 league titles, three UEFA Champions League crowns and four FIFA Club World Cups (in the now-defunct annual format).Why Does The USMNT Need A New Manager?Essentially, it looks like Mauricio Pochettino is leaving to take over at Manchester United.Pochettino signed a four-year extension with U.S. Soccer to stay with the USMNT in August. But such is his stature that his name is often bandied about when a high-profile English or European job comes open. This time the rumors have real legs, though. ESPN’s Mark Ogden first reported Manchester United preferred Pochettino as a candidate to replace current manager Michael Carrick, and the Guardian’s Pablo Maurer and Jamie Jackson first confirmed the interest was mutual. Additional reports have negotiations progressing.The good news for U.S. fans is it appears U.S. Soccer will be compensated should Pochettino leave, with a $10 million buyout clause reportedly a part of his new contract.Is Pep Guardiola Really A Possible Replacement?According to The Athletic, yes. At least from U.S. Soccer’s end.Reporting there from Paul Tenorio, Henry Bushnell and Tom Bogert says the USSF intends to reach out to Guardiola should the job open up. How competitive an offer they can make is less clear. But the idea feels far more credible now after Pochettino, another globally known managerial commodity, has spent two years in charge of the program.Is Pep Guardiola Available?Oddly, yes.Guardiola did not renew his contract with Manchester City following the season, the second consecutive campaign without a Premier League title following a decade of dominance. He is still working as a brand ambassador for City Football Group, which operates a portfolio of clubs around the world with Manchester City as its flagship, though it’s widely expected he will manage again in the near future.Would Pep Guardiola Succeed With The USMNT?It’s no sure thing.It was once unusual for top managers in the club game to take national team roles, but it was arguably the trend of the 2026 World Cup.However, the results weren’t great.Thomas Tuchel was the most successful in getting England to the semifinals, but he took plenty of blame for the tactics that allowed Argentina to rally to a 2-1 victory.Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil went out in the round of 16. Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany were eliminated in the round of 32. Marcelo Bielsa’s Uruguay couldn’t even escape a group that included Cape Verde and Saudi Arabia.Pochettino’s round-of-16 finish with the USMNT, an acceptable but historically average result for the program, would also fall in that category.Guardiola is clearly an exceptional manager. But taking charge of the USMNT would be the first time he managed a team that didn’t have superior talent to the majority of its opponents in higher-leverage matches.At the very least, there would be a learning curve.This article was originally published on Forbes.com