Pochettino Nears Manchester United Move After USMNT Extension

Manchester United has moved to hire Mauricio Pochettino after dismissing Michael Carrick, with the club sitting 18th in the Premier League. Pochettino, the United States men’s national team coach, has reached a verbal agreement to take the vacant job, but neither club nor federation has formally announced a change.

The teams are discussing the terms of his departure from U.S. Soccer. His contract reportedly carries a release fee of about $10 million, with further payments potentially due if Manchester United also brings over members of his coaching staff.

Pochettino took charge of the U.S. team in September 2024, led it to the 2026 World Cup’s round of 16 and signed an extension in August that was meant to keep him in the role until 2030. His possible exit would disrupt the start of the team’s next World Cup cycle.

The United States is scheduled to face Haiti in a two-game CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal, first in Miami on November 14 and then in Cincinnati on November 17. It is not settled whether Pochettino will coach either match or leave immediately to prepare for Manchester United’s November 22 game against Liverpool.

U.S. Soccer has not named an interim coach or set out a timetable for choosing a successor. The move would return Pochettino to England’s top flight, where he previously managed Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea.