History of Mauricio Pochettino in Timeline

Mauricio Pochettino, nicknamed Poch, is an Argentine professional football manager and former player. He is currently the head coach of the United States men's national team. As a player, he was a defender. He is known for his tactical approach and developing young players.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1962: Highest ranking since 1962–63 season

Pochettino's side eventually finished in second place with 86 points, their highest-ever tally since the English League began under the new denomination their highest ranking in 54 years since 1962–63 under Bill Nicholson

1964: First season-long unbeaten home run since 1964–65

March 1972: Mauricio Pochettino's birth

In March 1972, Mauricio Roberto Pochettino Trossero, also known as Poch, was born. He later became an Argentine professional football manager and former player, currently managing the United States men's national team.

Others born on this day/year

1978: Watched the 1978 FIFA World Cup

In 1978, Pochettino watched his first football match on television, the FIFA World Cup, with his father Héctor at the local sports club in Murphy.

January 1987: Played in tournament in Mar del Plata

In January 1987, Pochettino was placed in a team attending a tournament in Mar del Plata and helped the team win the final against Club Olimpia of Paraguay.

1988: Made first appearance in Primera División

In the 1988-89 season, Pochettino made his first appearance in the Primera División at the age of 17.

1989: Began career with Newell's Old Boys

In 1989, Mauricio Pochettino began his career as a centre back with Primera División club Newell's Old Boys.

1990: Played under Marcelo Bielsa

From 1990, Pochettino played under Marcelo Bielsa, who was first-team coach from 1990 to 1992. Bielsa's coaching methods and philosophy would have a significant impact on Pochettino.

1990: Won the 1990-91 national championship

In 1990-91, Pochettino won the national championship with Newell's Old Boys.

1990: Highest league finish since 1990

Spurs also lost in their last match of the season, ceding the league runners-up spot to rivals Arsenal, it was still good enough for their highest league finish since 1990.

1992: Played under Marcelo Bielsa

From 1990, Pochettino played under Marcelo Bielsa, who was first-team coach from 1990 to 1992. Bielsa's coaching methods and philosophy would have a significant impact on Pochettino.

1992: Played for Argentina under-23 team

In 1992, Pochettino played four matches for the Argentina under-23 team at the CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament in Paraguay, which saw them fail to qualify for the 1992 Summer Olympics.

1992: Won the 1992 Clausura

In 1992, Pochettino won the Clausura with Newell's Old Boys.

1992: Runner-up in Copa Libertadores

In 1992, Pochettino's team, Newell's Old Boys, finished as runner-up in the Copa Libertadores.

1992: highest points tally since the Premier League began in 1992–93

In his first full season at Southampton, Pochettino led the team to recording their highest points tally since the Premier League began in 1992–93.

1994: Moved to Espanyol

In 1994, Pochettino moved to Espanyol for the 1994-95 season and established himself as a first-team starter.

February 1997: Helped Espanyol win against Barcelona

In February 1997, Pochettino man-marked Ronaldo, helping Espanyol win 2-0 against Barcelona, their first win in ten years.

1998: Stayed at Espanyol

In 1998, Pochettino stayed at Espanyol to reconnect with his former coach Bielsa.

March 1999: Made senior international debut

In March 1999, Pochettino made his senior international debut for Argentina in a friendly against the Netherlands, ending in a 1-1 draw.

November 1999: Scored first international goal

In November 1999, Pochettino scored his first international goal in a friendly, a 2-0 win over Spain.

1999: Played at Copa América

In 1999, Pochettino played at the Copa América for the Argentina national team.

1999: Rejected offer from Valencia

In the 1999-2000 season, Pochettino rejected an offer from Valencia out of loyalty to Espanyol.

1999: Signed pre-agreement to stay at Espanyol

In the 1999-2000 season, Pochettino signed a pre-agreement to stay at Espanyol for six more years, contingent on funding.

2000: Won Copa del Rey with Espanyol

In 2000, Pochettino helped Espanyol beat Atlético Madrid in the final of the Copa del Rey, winning their first major trophy in 60 years.

2000: Informed to accept offer from Paris Saint-Germain

In the 1999-2000 season, Espanyol informed Pochettino that he should accept an offer from Paris Saint-Germain due to financial issues.

January 2001: Signed for Paris Saint-Germain

In late January 2001, Pochettino signed for Paris Saint-Germain for an undisclosed fee.

February 2001: Made league debut for Paris Saint-Germain

On February 3, 2001, Pochettino made his league debut for Paris Saint-Germain. Three days later, in February 2001, he scored his first goal for the club.

2001: Joined Paris Saint-Germain

In 2001, Pochettino joined Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain.

2002: Participated in FIFA World Cup

In 2002, Pochettino participated in the FIFA World Cup for Argentina.

2002: Highest league position since 2002–03

In his first full season at Southampton, Pochettino led the team to an eighth-place finish, their highest league position since 2002–03

July 2003: Moved to Bordeaux

In July 2003, Pochettino moved to Ligue 1 outfit Bordeaux for the 2003-04 campaign.

August 2003: Played first game and scored first goal for Bordeaux

In August 2003, Pochettino played his first game and scored his first goal for Bordeaux.

2004: Returned to Espanyol

During the 2004 summer transfer window, Pochettino returned to Espanyol, initially on loan.

2005: Unused substitute in Copa del Rey final

In the 2005-06 Copa del Rey, Pochettino was an unused substitute at the final, where Espanyol beat Zaragoza 4-1.

2006: Won another Copa del Rey with Espanyol

In 2006, Pochettino won another Copa del Rey with Espanyol.

2006: Retired as a player

In the summer of 2006, Ernesto Valverde took over as manager and did not want Pochettino in the squad. Pochettino announced his retirement as a player at the age of 34.

December 2008: Received UEFA Pro License

In December 2008, Pochettino received his UEFA Pro License.

January 2009: Became Espanyol's coach

In late January 2009, Pochettino became Espanyol's coach, tasked with saving them from relegation.

2009: Began managerial career at Espanyol

In 2009, Mauricio Pochettino began his managerial career at Espanyol.

2009: Led Espanyol to a comfortable league position

In the 2009-10 season, Pochettino led Espanyol to a comfortable league position, in a campaign where club captain Raúl Tamudo fell out of favour.

January 2010: Arrival of Dani Osvaldo

In January 2010, Dani Osvaldo arrived at Espanyol, leading to Raul Tamudo falling out of favor.

September 2010: Agreed to contract extension

On 28 September 2010, Pochettino agreed to a one-year contract extension at Espanyol.

June 2012: Contract ran until

Pochettino agreed to a one-year extension at the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat which ran until 30 June 2012.

November 2012: Contract terminated by mutual consent

On 26 November 2012, Pochettino's contract with Espanyol was terminated by mutual consent after a loss against Getafe.

2012: Left Espanyol

In 2012, Pochettino left Espanyol after poor results and financial disputes.

January 2013: Announced as Southampton manager

On 18 January 2013, Pochettino was announced as the new first-team manager of Premier League club Southampton, replacing Nigel Adkins.

2013: Appointed at Southampton

In 2013, Pochettino was appointed manager at Premier League club Southampton.

May 2014: Appointed head coach of Tottenham Hotspur

On 27 May 2014, Pochettino was appointed head coach of Tottenham Hotspur on a five-year contract.

2014: Signed for Tottenham Hotspur

In 2014, Pochettino signed for Tottenham Hotspur.

2014: Contract until

In May of the following year further renewed his contract until 2014.

2015: Tottenham were in contention to win the league

In 2015-16 Tottenham were in contention to win the league.

May 2016: Contract Extension with Tottenham

In May 2016, Mauricio Pochettino agreed to extend his contract with Tottenham until 2021. His title was also changed from "head coach" to "manager", although his role remained the same.

May 2016: Drew against Chelsea, confirming Leicester City as champions

On 2 May 2016, Tottenham drew 2–2 against Chelsea, confirming Leicester City as champions. Pochettino entered the pitch to separate Danny Rose from a confrontation.

2016: Potential basis for the England squad at UEFA Euro 2016

His first season was generally successful, ending in a fifth-place finish and the conversion of several young academy players into regular first-team players.

2016: Finished as league runners-up

In the 2016 season, Pochettino finished as league runners-up with Tottenham Hotspur.

January 2017: Chelsea ended Tottenham's Unbeaten Run

In January 2017, Tottenham's campaign, which began with a series of 12 unbeaten league matches, ended with a defeat at Chelsea.

May 2018: New contract with Tottenham until 2023

In May 2018, Mauricio Pochettino signed a new five-year contract to remain at Tottenham until 2023.

October 2018: Maurizio Pochettino's first goal

In October 2018, Maurizio Pochettino scored his first goal for Tottenham's under-18 side against Norwich City.

December 2018: 100th Premier League Win

In December 2018, Mauricio Pochettino achieved his 100th Premier League victory as manager of Tottenham after a late win against Burnley, becoming the first Tottenham manager to reach this milestone.

May 2019: Champions League Final

In May 2019, Mauricio Pochettino led Tottenham to their first ever Champions League final after defeating Ajax on away goals. Tottenham lost 2-0 in the final against Liverpool.

November 2019: Sacked by Tottenham Hotspur

In November 2019, five months after the Champions League final, Mauricio Pochettino was sacked by Tottenham Hotspur due to disappointing domestic results, with the team standing 14th in the Premier League.

2019: Dismissed by Tottenham Hotspur

In 2019, Pochettino was dismissed by Tottenham Hotspur after a string of poor results.

January 2021: Maurizio Pochettino signed for Watford.

In January 2021, Maurizio Pochettino signed for Watford.

January 2021: Appointed as Head Coach of Paris Saint-Germain

On January 2, 2021, Mauricio Pochettino was appointed as the head coach of Paris Saint-Germain on an 18-month contract, replacing Thomas Tuchel.

February 2021: Champions League Match against Barcelona

In February 2021, Mauricio Pochettino managed his first Champions League match with Paris Saint-Germain, leading them to a 4-1 victory over Barcelona at Camp Nou.

July 2021: Contract Extension with PSG

In July 2021, Mauricio Pochettino extended his contract with Paris Saint-Germain until 2023.

2021: Joined Paris Saint-Germain

In 2021, Pochettino joined Paris Saint-Germain, winning the Ligue 1 title and Coupe de France, but left one year later.

July 2022: Departure from Paris Saint-Germain

On July 5, 2022, it was announced that Paris Saint-Germain and Mauricio Pochettino had parted ways.

May 2023: Appointed as Head Coach of Chelsea

In May 2023, it was announced that Mauricio Pochettino would be appointed as the head coach of Chelsea on July 1, 2023, with a two-year contract and an option for another year.

July 2023: Pochettino Joins Chelsea

On July 1st 2023, Mauricio Pochettino was officially appointed as head coach of Chelsea.

August 2023: First Win as Chelsea Manager

In August 2023, Mauricio Pochettino secured his first win as the manager of Chelsea against Luton Town with a 3-0 victory.

2023: Managed Chelsea and the United States national team

In 2023, Pochettino took over as the manager of Chelsea for one season and was also appointed as the head coach of the United States national team.

May 2024: 400th Game as a Manager in English Football

On 2 May 2024, Mauricio Pochettino marked his 400th game as a manager in English football with a 2–0 victory over his former club Tottenham, with goals from Trevoh Chalobah and Nicolas Jackson.