Pochettino Addresses Backlash Over Squad Notification Method
United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino has responded to criticism after informing several players they missed his 26‑man World Cup squad via email, while those selected received personalised video messages.
The Athletic reported that the former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint‑Germain manager used email for the omissions, prompting former US international Herculez Gomez to voice his disapproval on ESPN’s Futbol Americas. Gomez argued that players deserve a direct phone call from the coach when learning they are not selected.
Personal Experience Shapes His Approach
Gomez compared the situation to his own experience under former US manager Jurgen Klinsmann, who told him via voicemail that he would not be part of the 2014 World Cup squad. Pochettino, however, offered a different perspective.
“When I was a player and didn’t make the roster, I didn’t want my coach to call me,” Pochettino said. “The players who are left out don’t want to hear me say ‘I apologise’. What would I say? Am I going to lie?”
He added that the selection process has weighed heavily on him: “During the past two weeks I didn’t sleep, and even now I can’t fully enjoy the 26 players in front of me because I keep thinking about those who are out.”
Pochettino insisted that calling each omitted player would serve more to ease his own conscience than to benefit the athletes: “If I call, it’s about myself. I say, ‘Oh, I call, I am very human about calling and then giving an explanation.’”
United States Opens Group D Campaign
As one of the co‑hosts of the tournament, the United States will begin its Group D campaign against Paraguay on 13 June, followed by matches against Australia and Turkey.
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