USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino denies Brentford rumor

U.S. national team manager Mauricio Pochettino has denied a rumor suggesting he interviewed with Brentford to replace Thomas Frank as manager.

Frank departed Brentford to take charge at Tottenham this month. Pochettino previously publicly ruled himself out of the race for Tottenham, saying he was “so happy” with the USMNT.

On Saturday, a rumor in Europe suggested he interviewed with Brentford, but Pochettino strongly denied it.

“This club never contacted me,” Pochettino told FOX’s Doug McIntyre. “I never talked to them.”

Pochettino and the USMNT are preparing for a Gold Cup quarterfinal on Sunday against Costa Rica.

Pochettino took charge of the United States last summer following Gregg Berhalter’s dismissal. It hasn’t been a great year, with the USMNT losing to Panama in the Nations League semifinals then Canada in the third place game, followed by two friendly losses against Türkiye and Switzerland to start this summer.

However, the USMNT won all three of their Gold Cup group stage games though as they look to win the tournament and build momentum heading to the World Cup.

The World Cup will be hosted in the United States, Mexico and Canada next summer.

There’s also the public nature of Christian Pulisic’s situation. The USMNT star didn’t join up with his country this summer. He said it was best for him to not play through the whole summer and offered to take part in the two friendlies but not the Gold Cup. Pochettino and his staff wanted him for both, so ultimately didn’t call him up for either.

“When I signed my contract in the federation, I am the head coach. I am not a mannequin,” Pochettino said after Pulisic did an interview with CBS Sports Golazo’s Call It What You Want podcast. “Players need to listen and to stick with our plan. They cannot dictate the plan.”