United States defender Sergiño Dest expressed his excitement about the potential arrival of Mauricio Pochettino as the men’s national team coach. Despite suffering a torn ACL that could potentially rule him out until 2025, Dest believes that Pochettino’s appointment could significantly benefit the team. He highlighted Pochettino’s experience coaching prominent clubs and his reputation for developing players, particularly during his time at Tottenham from 2014-2019. Dest mentioned that training under Pochettino would be a valuable experience, and he hopes it will contribute to the team’s success at the 2026 World Cup, especially since the U.S. is the host country.
Dest expressed his hope for the prompt confirmation of Pochettino’s appointment. With upcoming friendlies against Canada and Panama in September, former USMNT assistant Mikey Varas is expected to lead the team for these matches. While ESPN reported Pochettino’s agreement to succeed Gregg Berhalter as USMNT coach, final details are pending. Pochettino is anticipated to debut as coach during a friendly against Mexico on October 15th at Guadalajara’s Estadio Akron. Dest emphasized the team’s eagerness for an official announcement regarding Pochettino’s appointment to provide stability and direction leading up to the World Cup.
Dest candidly discussed the severity of his torn ACL, labeling it as the most significant injury he has had to recover from in his career. Sustaining the injury during training with PSV Eindhoven in April, Dest underwent surgery in May. Initially anticipated to be out for a minimum of nine months, he aspires to return to the club in January 2025. Despite the mental and emotional challenges posed by the injury, Dest remains committed to his rehabilitation process, prioritizing his knee’s complete recovery before resuming play. Steadily progressing on schedule, Dest acknowledged the importance of patience and adherence to proper rehabilitation protocols to ensure a successful return to the field.
While acknowledging the tough emotional and mental aspects of his recovery journey, Dest emphasized the significance of maintaining a composed mindset and focusing on gradual progress. He admitted that initially, he struggled to come to terms with the severity of his injury upon receiving the nine-month prognosis. However, he has since embraced the challenges posed by the situation, acknowledging that the experience has the potential to strengthen him both physically and mentally. By prioritizing a systematic and disciplined approach to his recovery, Dest aims to emerge stronger and more resilient from this setback, emphasizing the importance of accepting setbacks and remaining patient throughout the rehabilitation process.
In analyzing Sergiño Dest’s perspective on the potential arrival of Mauricio Pochettino as the men’s national team coach, it is evident that Dest’s excitement is tempered by his focus on thorough and calculated recovery from his ACL injury. As the U.S. team gears up for future competitions under potential new coaching leadership, Dest’s commitment to rehabilitation reflects his dedication to the team’s success. The combination of anticipation for Pochettino’s official appointment and Dest’s resilience amid his recovery journey exemplifies the underlying determination and ambition within the U.S. Men’s National Team.