Citadel's Griffin funded US soccer coach's hiring

Wall Street's fascination with the U.S. men's national soccer team's World Cup success has an unexpected benefactor: billionaire investor Ken Griffin. The founder of the hedge fund Citadel, a lifelong soccer enthusiast, made the largest financial contribution to bring Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino on board nearly two years ago, a Citadel spokesman confirmed.

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Griffin built a large and profitable investment firm by paying top dollar for traders and portfolio managers, Wall Street recruiters said, and he did not flinch when a fellow hedge fund manager, Scott Goodwin, asked him to help pay for Pochettino's two-year contract, a Citadel spokesman confirmed.

Pochettino was tasked with rebuilding the U.S. squad after a disappointing Copa America in 2024. Now, the team's advance to the knockout rounds of the 2026 World Cup has ignited considerable excitement. This enthusiasm is palpable even on Wall Street, where portfolio managers, bankers, and lawyers are reportedly flying across the country to attend games, even instructing colleagues to avoid contact during critical match play.

Griffin, known for his aggressive hiring of top talent in his investment firm, did not hesitate when asked by fellow hedge fund manager Scott Goodwin to help fund Pochettino's two-year contract. The 57-year-old hedge fund magnate has a deep personal connection to soccer, having played since age 6 and continued to play and coach into adulthood.

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Soccer also benefited when Griffin donated $3 million to the U.S. Soccer Foundation in 2017 to fund 50 mini-pitches across Chicago, where Citadel was then headquartered. Six years later, he donated $5 million to support the development of 50 mini-pitches in Miami-Dade County, Florida, his home state where the hedge fund is now headquartered.

Beyond this specific contribution, Griffin has a long-standing commitment to soccer. He previously donated $3 million to the U.S. Soccer Foundation in 2017 to fund mini-pitches in Chicago and later gave $5 million to support similar projects in Miami-Dade County. Griffin and real estate developer Stephen Ross also provided over 1,200 tickets to Miami residents for World Cup games hosted in the city. Griffin views soccer as a vital tool for teaching teamwork, discipline, and the joy of competition.

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Soccer, Griffin has said, can give players the experience of teamwork, discipline and joy of competition.