United States Soccer Federation has disclosed the salaries of its top coaching staff, revealing a significant financial gap between men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino and women’s head coach Emma Hayes.
According to the federation’s latest tax filing, Pochettino earned approximately $5 million during his first seven months in charge of the United States men’s national soccer team. His compensation included a $2.5 million signing bonus and $2.52 million in base salary.
When annualized, his earnings place him comfortably above $5 million per year — potentially approaching $6 million with performance incentives — making him the highest-paid coach in U.S. Soccer history.
By comparison, Hayes earned nearly $1.5 million during her first 10 months leading the United States women’s national soccer team, including $744,557 in base pay and $700,000 in bonuses tied to both her signing and the team’s gold medal run at the Paris Olympics.
Donor Funding Drives Record Deal
Pochettino’s appointment followed his departure from Chelsea FC and was made possible in part through external financial backing.
U.S. Soccer confirmed that the deal was supported by a “significant philanthropic leadership gift†from hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin, alongside contributions from Scott Goodwin and additional commercial partners.
Federation president Cindy Parlow Cone later acknowledged that the hire would not have been feasible without donor support — a rare structure in international football management.
Pay Gap Narrows — Then Widens Again
Hayes’ hiring in 2024 was initially viewed as a landmark moment for gender equity in coaching pay. Her reported annual salary of around $1.6 million placed her close to her predecessor Gregg Berhalter, aligning with broader efforts to equalize compensation across the federation.
However, the subsequent hiring of Pochettino has effectively reintroduced a significant gap at the coaching level, even as player pay between the men’s and women’s teams remains equal under the 2022 collective bargaining agreement.
Berhalter, who was dismissed in 2024, earned roughly $1.8 million during the tax year, including bonuses and severance-related compensation.
Broader Executive Compensation
Beyond the coaching staff, U.S. Soccer’s financial disclosures also highlight rising executive pay within the organization.
CEO J.T. Batson earned just over $925,000, while sporting director Matt Crocker surpassed $1 million, including relocation-related payments.
Several players from the Olympic gold medal-winning USWNT squad also ranked among the federation’s highest earners, each surpassing $800,000 — reinforcing their status as the best-paid women’s national team in global football.
A World Cup-Driven Investment
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, U.S. Soccer’s aggressive investment in elite coaching reflects the growing commercial and competitive stakes surrounding the men’s program.
Pochettino’s contract is set to run through the tournament, positioning him at the center of one of the most important cycles in U.S. soccer history — and one of its most expensive.