Manchester United appoint Mauricio Pochettino after his USMNT departure
U.S. Soccer and Manchester United announced on Friday, November 13, that Mauricio Pochettino was leaving his role as United States head coach to take charge of the English club. The announcement came less than 24 hours after reports said United were targeting the Argentine coach to replace Michael Carrick, who had been sacked.
Manchester United completed the deal by triggering a release clause in Pochettino’s contract with U.S. Soccer, reportedly valued at around $10 million. Pochettino took charge of the national team in September 2024 and led it to the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup. He then signed a long-term extension in August 2026 that would have kept him with the federation through the 2030 World Cup.
Pochettino described his departure as a painful decision, saying the relationship he had built over the past two years made leaving difficult, but he felt he had to take the next step to fulfil his dreams. He also thanked the staff, the federation’s leadership and the players, and praised CEO JT Batson for his transparency throughout the process.
Pochettino’s departure leaves the United States facing a sudden transition ahead of its two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti. The teams meet in Miami on November 14, with the second leg in Cincinnati on November 17. The federation will need to appoint an interim coach for the upcoming international window while it searches for a permanent manager.
Pochettino returns to the Premier League after previously managing Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea. Manchester United sit 18th in the league table, and he is expected to lead the team in its next match against Liverpool on November 22.