Mauricio Pochettino, the Argentine manager renowned for coaching some of football’s biggest stars including Lionel Messi, Neymar, Kylian Mbappé, and Harry Kane, has now taken over as head coach of Manchester United. He replaces Michael Carrick, having been brought in from the USMNT for a reported multi-million dollar fee. Despite his high-profile career and experience at top European clubs, Pochettino’s list of managerial honors remains relatively modest.
Though he has led teams to significant stages such as the UEFA Champions League final, his trophy collection does not fully reflect the reputation he has earned as a top-level coach. His most notable successes came during his stint at Paris Saint-Germain, where he clinched all three of his major titles.
Major Trophies Under Pochettino’s Management
During his time at PSG, Pochettino secured the following honors:
- 2020 Trophée des Champions: In January 2021, just days after taking charge, he guided PSG to a 2-1 victory over Marseille, marking his first managerial trophy.
- 2020-21 Coupe de France: PSG defeated Monaco 2-0 to claim the French Cup.
- 2021-22 Ligue 1 Title: Managing a star-studded squad featuring Messi, Neymar, and Mbappé, Pochettino led PSG to the French league championship.
Interestingly, Pochettino also has ties to PSG as a former player, adding a layer of connection to his managerial accomplishments at the club.
Outside of his Paris Saint-Germain tenure, Pochettino’s career has been marked by near-misses rather than trophy hauls. His time at Tottenham Hotspur saw him come agonizingly close to Champions League glory in 2019, yet the ultimate prize eluded him. This pattern of promise without a corresponding volume of silverware leaves a nuanced legacy for the Argentine coach as he embarks on his new challenge at Manchester United.