Mauricio Pochettino Set to Join Manchester United as New Head Coach
Pochettino's Appointment at Manchester United
Manchester [UK], November 13: The USA football team's head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, is reportedly finalizing a two-and-a-half-year contract with Premier League club Manchester United, taking over from club icon Michael Carrick following a disappointing start to the 2026/27 season, according to reports from a sports media outlet.
Currently positioned 18th in the Premier League and facing relegation, Manchester United dismissed Carrick from his role as head coach on Thursday. With only three victories across all competitions this season and just one win from ten league matches, Carrick's position had been under scrutiny for some time, leading the club's management to terminate his two-year managerial contract prematurely.
The struggling club is expected to pay a substantial buyout fee of approximately 10 million USD (7.4 million pounds) to release Pochettino from his contract with the USA team. Having previously managed Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, Pochettino brings valuable Premier League experience. Although the deal is not yet finalized, if all goes well, the 54-year-old coach will sign with Manchester United until 2029.
An official announcement regarding Pochettino's appointment could be made as early as Friday. He is currently focused on leading the USA team in their upcoming CONCACAF Nations League quarter-finals on Saturday and Tuesday, before heading to Old Trafford for Manchester United's next match against Liverpool on November 22.
Pochettino, who joined the USA football team in September 2024, will depart after just over two years, with a notable achievement being the team's round of 16 performance in the FIFA World Cup 2026, co-hosted by the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Previously, Carrick was given additional time to enhance the club's performance following a 0-3 defeat to Bournemouth last month. However, the team has struggled to show significant improvement, with only a single win against Roma to highlight their season. Carrick had been awarded a two-year permanent contract in May after a successful interim period.
Taking over from Ruben Amorim in January, Carrick led the team to a third-place finish and a return to the UEFA Champions League, accumulating 39 points from 17 matches. During his interim tenure, no other club matched Manchester United's points tally, which included victories over rivals such as Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea.
Nonetheless, with the club languishing in 18th place in the Premier League, an early exit from the Carabao Cup against Brighton & Hove Albion, and a lackluster Champions League campaign, Manchester United has struggled to maintain the high standards set during Carrick's previous tenure.