Premier League club Manchester United has appointed Mauricio Pochettino as its new head coach to replace the dismissed Michael Carrick after negotiating his release from the United States Men’s National Team for a reported $10 million (£7.4 million) buy-out fee on November 13, 2026. The 54-year-old Argentine manager, who guided the USMNT to the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the English team that runs through the end of the 2028-29 season. Pochettino will formally assume control at Old Trafford on November 18, following the conclusion of two international fixtures against Haiti, with his first match in charge scheduled against Liverpool at Anfield on November 22.
Why did Manchester United replace Michael Carrick with Mauricio Pochettino?
Manchester United terminated the contract of previous manager Michael Carrick on Thursday following a dramatic slide in domestic performance that left the team sitting 18th in the Premier League table. The club’s executive leadership acted after United managed only a single victory and eight points from its opening 10 league fixtures, marking the team's worst start to a domestic campaign in four decades. Across all competitions this season, United has secured just three wins from 15 games, prompting vocal protests from supporters who recently booed the squad off the field after a defeat against Bournemouth. Club officials formally contacted U.S. Soccer earlier in the week to target Pochettino, citing his history of implementing energetic attacking tactical setups and his track record for nurturing young talent during previous stints in England.
What are the terms of Pochettino's exit from U.S. Soccer?
U.S. Soccer agreed to release Mauricio Pochettino and his coaching staff, including longtime primary assistant Jesus Perez, following formal discussions with Manchester United's leadership. The Argentine manager had previously executed a contract extension in August aimed at keeping him with the national program through the 2030 World Cup cycle. According to reporting by The New York Times, United triggered a $10 million (£7.4 million) release clause to secure his early departure, while Al Jazeera noted that British outlets reported United paid substantial compensation to buy out the remainder of his agreement. Before taking the reins in Manchester, Pochettino will complete his scheduled duties on the sideline for the USMNT during a two-leg CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal matchup against Haiti on November 14 and November 17.
"Normally it's the opposite, you're sacked and you cry because you want to stay... It's never an ideal situation when this type of thing happens but like in life, football goes quick."
How did Pochettino and U.S. Soccer react to the announcement?
During an emotional press conference held ahead of the CONCACAF Nations League fixture, a tearful Mauricio Pochettino described his time leading the American national team as a career highlight. U.S. Soccer Chief Executive Officer JT Batson praised the departing coach for establishing higher standards and improving structural integration between the senior team and youth development programs. Over his 35 games in charge since taking the post in September 2024, Pochettino recorded 21 wins, 12 losses, and two draws. He awarded senior caps to 75 total players, including 11 players under age 21 during his final international window. During the 2026 World Cup hosted in North America, his team placed first in its group and claimed three total tournament victories—the most achieved by any head coach in USMNT history—before suffering an elimination against Belgium in the round of 16.
What background does Pochettino bring to Old Trafford?
Mauricio Pochettino becomes the eighth permanent head coach at Manchester United since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson in May 2013, inheriting a high-priced squad currently struggling with form and confidence. The former Argentina international defender initially built his managerial reputation in Europe with Spanish side Espanyol starting in 2009 before moving to English football with Southampton. He later spent five years managing Tottenham Hotspur from 2014 to 2019, taking the North London club to a League Cup final, a runner-up finish in the 2017 Premier League season, and the 2019 UEFA Champions League final. He subsequently won a Ligue 1 championship during a season at Paris Saint-Germain and led Chelsea to the 2023-24 League Cup final. Throughout his coaching career, Pochettino earned praise for aiding the personal growth of international players such as Harry Kane, Kyle Walker, Dele Alli, and Luke Shaw, the latter of whom he will now manage again at Old Trafford.
What happens next for Manchester United and the USMNT?
Mauricio Pochettino will officially take control of Manchester United on November 18, giving him four days to prepare the squad for its away Premier League match against rival Liverpool on November 22. Meanwhile, U.S. Soccer executive leadership, led by JT Batson, Chief Operating Officer Dan Helfrich, USWNT head coach Emma Hayes, and assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu, has begun a search for a permanent national team replacement. According to a report by The Athletic, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is anticipated to be a primary target for the American federation. For the immediate future, U.S. Under-23 Olympic team coach Steve Cherundolo will direct the national program's upcoming December training camp, which is scheduled to feature a roster primarily composed of players based in Major League Soccer.
Sources: This report draws on coverage by Al Jazeera, ESPN, The New York Times, NPR, U.S. Soccer, CNN, Yahoo Sports, The Boston Globe. The wording is our own.
