New United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino has hailed AC Milan's American winger Christian Pulisic as one of the best forwards in the world but has warned he may need to limit his workload.

Pochettino will take charge of the USA for the first time on Saturday in Austin when his team take on Panama in a friendly.

The Argentine will then take his team to Mexico for a friendly&nbsp;in Guadalajara on Tuesday to conclude his first window since being appointed to replace Gregg Berhalter.

Pulisic, who made his debut for his country as a 17-year-old, has amassed 73 caps by the age of 26 and is enjoying a rich run of form with his club in Serie A.

The former Dortmund and Chelsea winger has featured in all seven Serie A games for Milan, scoring five goals and has two Champions League appearances, scoring against Liverpool.

Pochettino did not hold back in his assessment of Pulisic's talent.

"(He's) a great player, fantastic player, a player that I think is going to help now and in the future to put the team in a place that we want, I think he is a fantastic player, one of the best offensive players in the world," he said.

But the former Tottenham manager suggested Pulisic's workload may need to be carefully managed.

"He is playing every single game, every single minute, that is also a thing that we are a little bit worried (about)," he said.

"Sometimes we need to protect, we will see, because he arrived a little bit tired, but that is a thing that I told before -- to build a very good relationship with the club and try to help and when we really need him, he needs to be in form, happy, strong. The quality is there because he has an enormous talent, he is a fantastic player," he added.

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<h2>Fresh Start</h2>

Pochettino said he would not be taking any gambles with player fitness during the two friendly games.

"(On Saturday) we want to put in place 11 players that feel fresh and with the possibility to compete at their best and not to take risks because that is another thing that I wanted to tell you that we are not going to take risks with our players," he said.

"We need to be responsible also with the clubs. We need to send them (back) in the same, but not in worse," he added.

Some of Pochettino's players have said the preparation this week has been "intense" but the coach said that didn't purely reflect the physical aspect of training but the players adapting to his approach to the game.

"We are a coaching staff that we demand a lot, I think, because we really believe that you want to compete in your best, you need to train, replicate the intensity that is going to be demanded in the competition," he said.

The Argentine, whose most recent role was at Chelsea, said he had been pleased to see a positive attitude from the team, which had been criticised for their recent displays which saw just one win in their last seven games.

"One thing that the 25 players share is the motivation to be here and to play for the national team. That is amazing, how excited to come here," he said.

But he said it would take time for the team to adapt to the new coaching staff.

"The important thing is to talk and to know (each other) outside of the field. And then (for us) to know them also on the pitch," he added.

Disclaimer:&nbsp;This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

New United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino has hailed AC Milan's American winger Christian Pulisic as one of the best forwards in the world but has warned he may need to limit his workload.

New United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino has hailed AC Milan's American winger Christian Pulisic as one of the best forwards in the world but has warned he may need to limit his workload. Pochettino will take charge of the USA for the first time on Saturday in Austin when his team take on Panama in a friendly. The Argentine will then take his team to Mexico for a friendly in Guadalajara on Tuesday to conclude his first window since being appointed to replace Gregg Berhalter. Pulisic, who made his debut for his country as a 17-year-old, has amassed 73 caps by the age of 26 and is enjoying a rich run of form with his club in Serie A. The former Dortmund and Chelsea winger has featured in all seven Serie A games for Milan, scoring five goals and has two Champions League appearances, scoring against Liverpool. Pochettino did not hold back in his assessment of Pulisic's talent. "(He's) a great player, fantastic player, a player that I think is going to help now and in the future to put the team in a place that we want, I think he is a fantastic player, one of the best offensive players in the world," he said. But the former Tottenham manager suggested Pulisic's workload may need to be carefully managed. "He is playing every single game, every single minute, that is also a thing that we are a little bit worried (about)," he said. "Sometimes we need to protect, we will see, because he arrived a little bit tired, but that is a thing that I told before -- to build a very good relationship with the club and try to help and when we really need him, he needs to be in form, happy, strong. The quality is there because he has an enormous talent, he is a fantastic player," he added. ALSO READ | Women's T20 World Cup: Ashleigh Gardner runs the show for Australia in one-sided win over Pakistan Fresh Start Pochettino said he would not be taking any gambles with player fitness during the two friendly games. "(On Saturday) we want to put in place 11 players that feel fresh and with the possibility to compete at their best and not to take risks because that is another thing that I wanted to tell you that we are not going to take risks with our players," he said. "We need to be responsible also with the clubs. We need to send them (back) in the same, but not in worse," he added. Some of Pochettino's players have said the preparation this week has been "intense" but the coach said that didn't purely reflect the physical aspect of training but the players adapting to his approach to the game. "We are a coaching staff that we demand a lot, I think, because we really believe that you want to compete in your best, you need to train, replicate the intensity that is going to be demanded in the competition," he said. The Argentine, whose most recent role was at Chelsea, said he had been pleased to see a positive attitude from the team, which had been criticised for their recent displays which saw just one win in their last seven games. "One thing that the 25 players share is the motivation to be here and to play for the national team. That is amazing, how excited to come here," he said. But he said it would take time for the team to adapt to the new coaching staff. "The important thing is to talk and to know (each other) outside of the field. And then (for us) to know them also on the pitch," he added. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

New US coach Mauricio Pochettino hails Christian Pulisic but worries over workload

Former Germany player and coach Jurgen Klinsmann was fired Monday as coach of the United States after losing two 2018 World Cup qualifying matches.

The 52-year-old, who won the World Cup as a player with Germany in 1990, had been in charge of the US since 2011.

US Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati announced the &quot;difficult decision&quot; without naming a replacement. The United States does not face another World Cup qualifier until March.

&quot;While we remain confident that we have quality players to help us advance to Russia 2018, the form and growth of the team up to this point left us convinced that we need to go in a different direction,&quot; Gulati said.

&quot;With the next qualifying match in late March, we have several months to refocus the group and determine the best way forward to ensure a successful journey to qualify for our eighth consecutive World Cup.&quot;

Klinsmann went 55-27 with 16 drawn in a coaching tenure that began on July 29, 2011, when Gulati named him to replace sacked Bob Bradley on a team where Bradley&#39;s son Michael was a star midfielder.

&quot;We want to thank Jurgen for his hard work and commitment during these last five years,&quot; Gulati said. &quot;He took pride in having the responsibility of steering the program and there were considerable achievements along the way.&quot;

Klinsmann guided the Americans on a team record 12-match win streak in 2013 and his 16 triumphs and 76.1 win percentage that year set US calendar-year records.

But the Americans were a disappointing fourth in the 2015 Gold Cup and also lost a playoff to Mexico for a berth in the 2017 Confederations Cup.

Earlier this month, the US stumbled badly in opening the final round of North American (CONCACAF) qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, falling 2-1 at home to arch-rival Mexico and 4-0 at Costa Rica.

In a New York Times story published on Monday, Klinsmann dismissed much of the criticism as &quot;a lot of talk from people who don&#39;t understand soccer or the team&quot; while saying critics were &quot;ignoring the facts&quot; and &quot;being disrespectful.&quot;

Klinsmann has tinkered with lineups and formations but dismissed calls his moves hurt the squad, saying &quot;we are coaching a team through a transitional phase.&quot;

Arena to return?

Gulati addressed the future of US Soccer, which many fans saw as bleak under Klinsmann&#39;s guidance, saying &quot;we look forward to continued progress.&quot;

Bruce Arena, a five-time Major League Soccer champion coach now with the Los Angeles Galaxy, is thought to be a prime candidate to replace Klinsmann.

The 65-year-old American coached the US team to the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals and guided a 2006 US lineup that exited in the group stages.

Sports Illustrated reported that Arena was set to take over and an announcement could come as early as Tuesday, when Gulati plans to speak with reporters.

Under Klinsmann in 2014, the Americans matched their 2010 World Cup showing by reaching the last 16 at Brazil after Klinsmann left long-time US striker Landon Donovan off the roster.

&quot;Never want to see someone lose their job,&quot; Donovan tweeted Monday. &quot;I have no doubt that this talented group of players will qualify for Russia &#39;18.&quot;

Gulati sang Klinsmann&#39;s praises even as he swung the axe, saying the German legend&#39;s legacy will have a long-term impact on the squad.

&quot;Many are aware of the historic victories, including leading us out of the Group of Death to the round of 16 in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but there were also lesser publicized efforts behind the scenes,&quot; Gulati said.

&quot;He challenged everyone in the US Soccer community to think about things in new ways and thanks to his efforts we have grown as an organization and expect there will be benefits from his work for years to come.&quot;

Eight US matches remain in the North American (CONCACAF) &quot;hexagonal&quot; round-robin qualifying, the next being at home to Honduras on March 24 and four days later at Panama.&nbsp;

The three top teams in the six-nation field advance to the World Cup while the fourth faces a playoff against an Asian team for one of the last berths in Russia.

(AFP)

He lost the job after losing two World Cup qualifying matches. A replacement has not been named

Former Germany player and coach Jurgen Klinsmann was fired Monday as coach of the United States after losing two 2018 World Cup qualifying matches. The 52-year-old, who won the World Cup as a player with Germany in 1990, had been in charge of the US since 2011. US Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati announced the "difficult decision" without naming a replacement. The United States does not face another World Cup qualifier until March. "While we remain confident that we have quality players to help us advance to Russia 2018, the form and growth of the team up to this point left us convinced that we need to go in a different direction," Gulati said. "With the next qualifying match in late March, we have several months to refocus the group and determine the best way forward to ensure a successful journey to qualify for our eighth consecutive World Cup." Klinsmann went 55-27 with 16 drawn in a coaching tenure that began on July 29, 2011, when Gulati named him to replace sacked Bob Bradley on a team where Bradley's son Michael was a star midfielder. "We want to thank Jurgen for his hard work and commitment during these last five years," Gulati said. "He took pride in having the responsibility of steering the program and there were considerable achievements along the way." Klinsmann guided the Americans on a team record 12-match win streak in 2013 and his 16 triumphs and 76.1 win percentage that year set US calendar-year records. But the Americans were a disappointing fourth in the 2015 Gold Cup and also lost a playoff to Mexico for a berth in the 2017 Confederations Cup. Earlier this month, the US stumbled badly in opening the final round of North American (CONCACAF) qualifying for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, falling 2-1 at home to arch-rival Mexico and 4-0 at Costa Rica. In a New York Times story published on Monday, Klinsmann dismissed much of the criticism as "a lot of talk from people who don't understand soccer or the team" while saying critics were "ignoring the facts" and "being disrespectful." Klinsmann has tinkered with lineups and formations but dismissed calls his moves hurt the squad, saying "we are coaching a team through a transitional phase." Arena to return? Gulati addressed the future of US Soccer, which many fans saw as bleak under Klinsmann's guidance, saying "we look forward to continued progress." Bruce Arena, a five-time Major League Soccer champion coach now with the Los Angeles Galaxy, is thought to be a prime candidate to replace Klinsmann. The 65-year-old American coached the US team to the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals and guided a 2006 US lineup that exited in the group stages. Sports Illustrated reported that Arena was set to take over and an announcement could come as early as Tuesday, when Gulati plans to speak with reporters. Under Klinsmann in 2014, the Americans matched their 2010 World Cup showing by reaching the last 16 at Brazil after Klinsmann left long-time US striker Landon Donovan off the roster. "Never want to see someone lose their job," Donovan tweeted Monday. "I have no doubt that this talented group of players will qualify for Russia '18." Gulati sang Klinsmann's praises even as he swung the axe, saying the German legend's legacy will have a long-term impact on the squad. "Many are aware of the historic victories, including leading us out of the Group of Death to the round of 16 in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, but there were also lesser publicized efforts behind the scenes," Gulati said. "He challenged everyone in the US Soccer community to think about things in new ways and thanks to his efforts we have grown as an organization and expect there will be benefits from his work for years to come." Eight US matches remain in the North American (CONCACAF) "hexagonal" round-robin qualifying, the next being at home to Honduras on March 24 and four days later at Panama. The three top teams in the six-nation field advance to the World Cup while the fourth faces a playoff against an Asian team for one of the last berths in Russia. (AFP)

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New US coach Mauricio Pochettino hails Christian Pulisic but worries over workload

Football: US coach Klinsmann fired