Pochettino’s firm response to Pulisic: ‘I am the coach, not a mannequin’

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USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino finally addressed the controversy surrounding Christian Pulisic’s decision to skip the 2025 Gold Cup, saying, “I’m not a mannequin. It was my call not to include him.”

The United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) is in the middle of a results crisis, although the team showed signs of improvement with a commanding 5-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago in its Gold Cup opener. Still, one major talking point continues to stir debate: Christian Pulisic‘s decision to skip the Concacaf tournament.

While the AC Milan star cited fatigue as the reason for opting out, many fans and pundits criticized the choice—especially with the team under pressure ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Until now, head coach Mauricio Pochettino had remained silent on the issue.

Pochettino: “I’m not a mannequin”

Speaking to the media, the Argentine manager broke his silence and addressed the situation head-on. “When I signed my contract with the federation, I was appointed head coach. I’m not a mannequin,” he stated firmly.

Pochettino emphasized the importance of team structure and authority: “It can’t be that a player says, ‘I want to play,’ or ‘I want this or that.’ That’s not how this works.”

He also clarified the internal conversation with Pulisic. “It’s true that he wanted to take part in the two friendly matches… but for us, the Gold Cup is an important tournament,” Pochettino said. “Yes, it was my decision—our decision—not to include him for the friendlies, and that’s it.”

Pulisic reportedly told the coaching staff that he needed time to rest after back-to-back seasons with AC Milan, where he played continuously without a break. The staff ultimately respected the medical and physical concerns, but chose to move forward with players fully committed to the full tournament.

What’s next for the USMNT in the Gold Cup?

The US will return to action on Thursday, June 19, when they face Saudi Arabia in their second group stage match. The game kicks off at 9:15 PM ET at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.

With tensions still lingering around Pulisic’s absence, all eyes will be on the team’s performance—and on Pochettino’s ability to steer the squad through the Gold Cup amid mounting pressure and high expectations.