Pep Guardiola learned serious basketball skills from Joe Mazzula<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nLalas believes the possibility of Guardiola being available is enough reason for the federation to make contact. In his eyes, ignoring such a talented person would be a missed opportunity, even if the result was ultimately rejected.<\/p>\n
Lalas said on the State of the Union podcast that if Guardiola is going to be open to international management, it would be “stupid” not to at least make a phone call.<\/p>\n
“If Pep Guardiola is available and he is going to accept it, it would be foolish not to take that call and sit back and see what he thinks about these things,” Lalas said.<\/p>\n
“You definitely make that call. You might even get that call. I mean, I know Pep famously took a sabbatical. Where did he go? Gone to the United States. That might appeal to him.”<\/p>\n
What will happen after Pochettino and what will happen next?<\/h2>\n
The USMNT is currently under the direction of manager Mauricio Pochettino, who is leading preparations for the 2026 World Cup in his home country. This tournament is seen as a defining moment in the program’s long-term growth, and expectations are high.<\/p>\n
However, Lalas speculates that once the cycle is over, Pochettino could attract offers from top clubs across Europe, opening the door for a management reset in the US system.<\/p>\n
Then Guardiola’s name comes up in the conversation. Lalas argues that the idea, while ambitious, is in line with growing ambitions as U.S. soccer continues to expand domestically.<\/p>\n
Still, he acknowledged there are big challenges. Guardiola has built a career at the pinnacle of club football, working with elite teams capable of implementing precise tactical systems. <\/p>\n
Applying this approach to international teams, where players are brought in intermittently and depth is more limited, would be an entirely different task.<\/p>\n
“All of[Guardiola’s]success and all of his intelligence about the game, he still has to apply it to a very different scenario, not only in terms of being international, but also in terms of being an inferior team compared to elite teams,” Lalas added.<\/p>\n
“And Pep established his greatness and made a great team even greater. And the United States is not a great team.”<\/p>\n
Despite these questions, Lalas insists the upside is too large to ignore. Such conversations, he argues, would signal U.S. Soccer’s internal ambitions to elevate its standing on the world stage.<\/p>\n
It’s unclear whether Guardiola will say yes, but Lalas insists a program aiming to become a true soccer powerhouse should not hesitate to explore all possibilities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
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