Mauricio Pochettino 'should resign' over Folarin Balogun controversy - ex-Tottenham man
Mauricio Pochettino should step down from his position as manager of the United States after picking Folarin Balogun to play against Belgium on Tuesday.
That is the opinion of experienced former senior Tottenham scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
Balogun, 25, started as the co-hosts were smashed 4-1 by Belgium in Seattle, with goals from Charles De Ketalaere, Hans Vanaken and Romelu Lukaku.
The striker was sent off against Bosnia and Herezegovina in the previous round, before President Donald Trump called Gianni Infantino and asked for the ban to be suspended.
The Monaco forward was subsequently cleared to play, sparking huge protest from Belgium and the wider football world.
Infantino may well be glad to have seen the United States knocked out, but further focus is to be had on his position as president of FIFA, with this the latest of several controversies.
Bryan King slams Mauricio Pochettino
Pochettino stirred up for more anger at the situation when he celebrated the decision before Tuesday's game.
The challenge had clearly been unintentional and the red card was debatable, but action outside of the rules called the tournament's integrity into question.
"The problem here also lies with the management of the United States soccer team," King told Football Insider.
"It goes to prove there is no integrity. Pochettino endorses what Trump has instigated, and for me, that's unforgivable. He's made enough money out of football, Pochettino, to have stood up and said: 'Right, you want a bigger story than this?
"'Well, I quit, because I don't go along with the way that soccer and the way that you're instigating the rules.'"
King added: "Starting him in the team, dear me, that's endorsing what the bloody president just went and done. And he's made enough money out of football, Pochettino, on top of Paris Saint-Germain.
"Has he resigned from his position as the USA coach yet? Because he bloody well should."
What did Pochettino say about Folarin Balogun situation?
Ultimately, Balogun had little to no impact on Tuesday's game. The 25-year-old had a chance or two but failed to really test Thibaut Courtois.
The forward has unfortunately come out of the situation in a negative light, though he really had little to do with the decision of those above him.
Speaking after the game, Pochettino said: "I am so frustrated and disappointed with the people that are supposed to understand the situation.
"What is the point of insulting or receiving a lot of bad messages and threats if my position is that I am the head coach? It’s a rule that it’s possible to apply and try, that the players that can be available. My position was to train the team.
"If you have available Balogun because the disciplinary committee of Fifa allowed for you to have the player, it’s not a problem. I feel so disappointed with too many people. They mix things, they put politics and manipulation and talk about ethics and integrity.”