New United States national team coach Mauricio Pochettino says his squad need to set themselves the highest goal possible -- to win the World Cup.

The former Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Espanyol coach replaces American Gregg Berhalter who was fired in July after a disappointing Copa America campaign.

Mauricio Pochettino agreed to become the head coach of the U.S. men's national soccer team, ESPN and The Athletic reported Thursday.

Chelsea have appointed Leicester's Enzo Maresca as their new head coach, according to British media reports late Thursday.

Chelsea's stars praised Mauricio Pochettino on Wednesday following the Argentine's ruthless sacking after just one season in charge.

"Chelsea FC can confirm that the club and Mauricio Pochettino have mutually agreed to part ways," Chelsea said in a statement.

"I don't know about the rumours about the review. My staff tomorrow are flying [on holiday]. Maybe tonight if [club bosses] decide another thing or tell us to stay, [otherwise] they'll go for a holiday."

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino has revealed he feared the sack after an embarrassing 4-2 defeat against Wolves earlier this season.

Chelsea boosted their chances of European football next season, thumping West Ham 5-0 in the Premier League, with Cole Palmer, Conor Gallagher, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson, with two, all getting on the scoresheet on Sunday.

Chelsea delivered a hammer blow to Tottenham's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League with a 2-0 win against their spluttering London rivals on Thursday.

"The referee is unbelievable and it's ridiculous. It is difficult to accept," Pochettino said.

Mauricio Pochettino said he and his struggling Chelsea players must use the final weeks of their dismal season to prove they deserve to stay at the club.

Pochettino's side slumped to an embarrassing 5-0 loss at Arsenal on Tuesday to heap renewed pressure on the beleaguered Chelsea boss.

Kai Havertz and Ben White scored twice as Arsenal thrashed Chelsea 5-0 on Tuesday to surge ahead in the Premier League title race and ramp up the pressure on Liverpool and Manchester City.

Chelsea could be without top scorer Cole Palmer for Tuesday's clash away at Premier League leaders Arsenal with the forward struggling to recover from illness, manager Mauricio Pochettino said on Monday.

Manchester City’s defence of the UEFA Champions League came to a heartbreaking end when they failed to put away a resilient Real Madrid, going down 4-3 on penalties, at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

Chelsea forward Cole Palmer has emerged as a Player of the Year contender thanks to a dazzling campaign that left Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola to rue what might have been ahead of their reunion in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final.

"It's a shame," said Pochettino. "I was telling the players. We had a meeting with all the staff, I think we cannot behave in this way."

Chelsea face a huge challenge to avoid breaching Premier League sustainability rules after posting an £89.8 million ($112 million) loss for the 2022/23 season.

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino wants to build a genuine connection with supporters by leading his young side to success rather than trying to win them over with pitchside gestures.