February 24, 2026
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Mauricio Pochettino on Belief, Culture and Building Teams That Win Together
What turns a group of talented individuals into a team that performs under pressure? For Mauricio Pochettino, belief is the starting point. Not belief as inspiration but belief as discipline.
In a recent Slice of Citadel conversation, Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team, reflects on leadership, accountability and the habits that shape winning cultures as he prepares the team to compete in the 2026 World Cup on home soil. Watch the video below to hear the full discussion.
Pochettino traces his philosophy back to a defining moment at age 13, when his parents encouraged him to leave home to pursue football. At that stage, he explains, the motivation is not money or recognition. It is a commitment to the game itself. From the beginning, his focus centered on contributing to a team.
Belief, Pochettino argues, separates potential from performance. Talent alone does not sustain success. “Belief is the most important thing in football,” he says, pointing to commitment over raw ability. That belief shows up in daily preparation rather than speeches. It takes shape through consistent work and the habits players build when no one is watching.
When individual discipline becomes collective behavior, culture emerges. Small actions, repeated over time, set expectations for the entire group. It’s up to leaders to reinforce those standards through clarity and example.
That culture becomes most apparent in leadership decisions. For Pochettino, leadership begins with understanding people before positions. Trust develops through honesty and accountability rather than hierarchy. After difficult losses, he addresses his teams directly and takes responsibility. “I get the blame,” he says. Owning decisions is a crucial component of strong leadership, as it builds credibility and enables teams to move forward together.
The same standard applies to how he manages star players. Pochettino rejects the idea of permanent roles, insisting that performance and consistency determine responsibility. Players are judged by their contributions, not their reputations. Teams succeed when effort and accountability apply to everyone.
Although results matter, Pochettino points to player growth as one of the most meaningful outcomes of leadership. Helping someone realize their potential, he says, can be just as rewarding as winning a trophy.
For Pochettino, the lesson is demanding. Teams win when belief is practiced every day, accountability is shared and individuals commit fully to something bigger than themselves.
