Mauricio Pochettino hasn't been announced as the next USMNT head coach yet, so what's the hold up?

While the United States Soccer Federation is reportedly close to appointing Argentine head coach Mauricio Pochettino to lead the United States men's soccer team, there still something getting in the way.  A trip to Spain that was supposed to be for top U.S. Soccer officials had to be canceled due to the continued need to work out finances between U.S. Soccer and Chelsea, according to Fox Sports.

Since Pochettino had a guaranteed contract with the Blues when he departed the club in June, the Blues have to still compensate him. While Pochettino is out of a job, those responsibilities are solely a Chelsea issue but if he is to take the USMNT role, that's where negotiations come into play. Since neither Chelsea nor U.S. Soccer want to pay more than they have to, things have come to a standstill as the parties try to negotiate the finances of his official exit, according to the report. Pochettino had a two-year contract with the Blues, but he was let go after just one season.

Expectations remain that the deal will get done, and shortly after, there should be an official announcement. These things take time especially when they involve clubs like Chelsea but Pochettino is also a manager worth waiting for. While he won't be able to coach the USMNT during this international window where they'll face Canada and New Zealand, his arrival by the October break is plenty of time to begin laying the groundwork for the 2026 World Cup.

Of course, the longer things drag out, the worry could begin to set in that the deal may fall through as nothing is official until their is pen to paper.