Manchester United Hires Mauricio Pochettino as He Leaves US National Team/ NEWSLOOKS/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Manchester United hired Mauricio Pochettino on Friday, securing the US national team coach on a 2½-year contract. He will take over Nov. 18 after overseeing the Americans’ Nations League quarterfinals against Haiti. His departure comes three months after agreeing to lead the United States through the 2030 World Cup and leaves US Soccer searching for a replacement.
Quick Look
- United appointment: Pochettino signed a 2½-year contract and officially begins Nov. 18.
- First match ahead: United visits Liverpool on Nov. 22.
- Club in trouble: Manchester United sits 18th after 10 Premier League games.
- Carrick dismissed: The appointment follows Michael Carrick’s firing Thursday.
- Final US fixtures: Pochettino and his assistants will remain for matches against Haiti on Saturday and Tuesday.
- Emotional farewell: He called leaving “one of the most difficult decision in our career.”
- US coaching search: Pep Guardiola’s interest could be explored, while Steve Cherundolo could also be considered.
- World Cup record: Pochettino led the Americans to the round of 16 in 2026.
Deep Look
Pochettino Leaves US Role for Manchester United
FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — Manchester United appointed Mauricio Pochettino as head coach Friday, bringing the Argentine back to the Premier League to revive a club languishing in the relegation zone.
Pochettino agreed to a 2½-year contract and will officially take charge Nov. 18, four days before United’s match at Liverpool.
The move ends his US national team tenure just three months after he agreed to remain through the 2030 World Cup.
At a news conference alongside US Soccer Federation executives, Pochettino became emotional as he explained his departure.
“One of the most difficult decision in our career,” he said, crying.
He described Manchester United as “difficult to turn down” but declined to discuss the challenge in detail until next week.
United Turns to Pochettino After Carrick’s Dismissal
Pochettino’s appointment came a day after United fired Michael Carrick following the club’s worst league start in 40 years.
The 20-time English champion is 18th in the Premier League after 10 matches.
United praised Pochettino’s “high-intensity, attacking style of football, his dedication to building strong, cohesive teams and his outstanding record of developing individual players.”
The club said he had “consistently performed at the highest level of football across multiple leagues.”
The 54-year-old becomes United’s eighth permanent coach or manager since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Final US Matches Come Against Haiti
Pochettino and his assistants will stay with the American team for the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals against Haiti on Saturday and Tuesday.
He took over the national team in fall 2024 and led the co-host Americans to the round of 16 at this year’s World Cup.
“There is tremendous talent in the U.S. player pool from the youth teams through to the senior team, and it’s one of the reasons we have so much belief for the future of U.S. Soccer,” Pochettino said in a statement.
His departure creates an unexpected vacancy as the federation begins planning its next World Cup cycle.
US Soccer Begins Search for Successor
USSF CEO JT Batson and chief operating officer Dan Helfrich will lead the search for a new coach.
Women’s national team coach Emma Hayes and former American defender Oguchi Onyewu, now a federation staff member, will assist.
The federation is likely to explore Pep Guardiola’s interest and could consider promoting Under-23 coach Steve Cherundolo. Neither possibility represents an announced appointment or agreement.
Cherundolo is scheduled to oversee a senior national team training camp next month featuring mostly Major League Soccer players.
Federation Credits Pochettino With Raising Standards
Batson praised Pochettino’s influence beyond match results.
“Mauricio has left a lasting mark on U.S. Soccer through his leadership, professionalism and commitment to our players and culture,” he said.
“What we are most proud of goes beyond the wins. He and his staff raised standards, strengthened our culture and created clearer connections from the youth national teams to the senior team.”
The statement emphasized continuity in the federation’s development work despite the coaching change.
Old Trafford Presents a Familiar but Difficult Assignment
Pochettino brings Premier League experience from Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea, alongside spells at Espanyol and Paris Saint-Germain.
He won the French league title with PSG in 2022. His Tottenham tenure included sustained Premier League contention and a run to the 2019 Champions League final.
However, he has not won a major trophy in England. His most recent English final ended in defeat with Chelsea in the 2024 League Cup.
At United, he inherits a challenge that has frustrated a succession of prominent managers since Ferguson’s retirement.
The club has not won the league since 2013, Ferguson’s final season, despite appointing coaches including Louis van Gaal, José Mourinho, David Moyes, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag.
Pochettino’s immediate task will be to improve United’s league position before addressing the longer-term ambition of restoring the club to championship contention.
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