Manchester United appoint Mauricio Pochettino, who leaves US men's national team job

Manchester United have appointed Mauricio Pochettino as head coach. He replaces Michael Carrick, who was sacked by the club. Al Jazeera, ESPN and the Associated Press each reported the appointment.

Pochettino, 54, is leaving his job as head coach of the United States men's national team, which he took charge of in 2024. He has previously managed Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.

Al Jazeera quoted a Manchester United statement: "The club has reached an agreement with the US Soccer Federation for Mauricio and his staff to be released after the conclusion of their responsibilities with the US Men’s National Team". Pochettino will lead the US in its upcoming matches against Haiti before joining United.

His first match in charge is scheduled for 22 November, away to Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League. United are 18th in the table and have one league win this season.

Details of the deal

According to ESPN, Pochettino signed a 2½-year contract after an agreement was finalised on Thursday. ESPN reported that Carrick was sacked on Thursday, 15 games into a two-year contract he signed in May.

ESPN also reported that United chief executive Omar Berrada informed U.S. Soccer on Wednesday that the club was willing to trigger a $10 million (£7.5m) release clause. Al Jazeera cited British media reports that United would have to pay substantial compensation to release Pochettino from his US contract, which, according to those reports, had been due to run until the 2030 World Cup.

Unnamed sources told ESPN that Pochettino was the "unanimous choice" and the only candidate spoken to directly. According to ESPN, he will coach the games against Haiti on Saturday and Tuesday and is due to start work at Carrington on Wednesday. Steve Cherundolo will lead the US team's December camp. U.S. Soccer did not immediately name a replacement, ESPN reported.

United's season

According to Al Jazeera, United have eight points from 10 league games, one point above bottom side Crystal Palace. Al Jazeera described this as the club's worst start to a league campaign in 40 years. ESPN reported that internal concerns had been raised that Carrick was struggling as form dipped.

What each side says

Manchester United said in a statement quoted by ESPN: "Pochettino has consistently performed at the highest level of football across multiple leagues."

In a statement quoted by ESPN, Pochettino said: "The opportunity to represent the USA crest was one of the greatest honors of my career."

U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone said in a statement quoted by ESPN: "I want to thank Mauricio and his staff for all their contributions over the past two years to move our Men's National Team forward, and wish him all the best at Manchester United."

What the reports do not include

The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not include official confirmation of the compensation amount. They do not include any comment from Carrick, and they do not identify which staff will join Pochettino. Vocemundi reviewed only a summary of the Associated Press report.

Analysis

The appointment affects two teams at once. Manchester United are changing coaches during the season while 18th in the Premier League, and the scheduled first match at Anfield gives Pochettino little time to prepare. Whether a new coach changes results cannot be known in advance. U.S. Soccer now needs a new head coach. According to ESPN, a U.S. Soccer news release said women's national team coach Emma Hayes will be among those involved in the search, along with federation leadership including CEO JT Batson, COO Dan Helfrich and VP for Sporting Oguchi Onyewu. The process could be quick or extended. Key open questions include the final compensation terms, which have not been officially confirmed, and which members of Pochettino's staff will move with him.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.