Manchester United appoint Pochettino, replacing Michael Carrick from 18 November

The appointment

Manchester United announced on Friday, 13 November, that Mauricio Pochettino will take charge of the men's team from 18 November, succeeding Michael Carrick. The 54-year-old Argentine has signed a contract running to the summer of 2029. The club triggered a release clause in his deal with the United States Soccer Federation, reported as $10 million (£7.4 million) by one account and as about nine million euros by another. United agreed with the federation to free Pochettino and his staff once they finish their duties with the US men's national team. He has coached the USMNT since September 2024, taking the side to the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup.

At a press conference before the US's next match, Pochettino became emotional when speaking about the move.

“It is difficult to speak right now. I am a very emotional person.”

He described leaving the national team as the most difficult decision of his career.

Carrick's exit and the cost

United told Michael Carrick he was being removed during the week, as contacts with Pochettino accelerated. Carrick kept directing training while reports about the Pochettino deal spread, a sequence that left him exposed. The change is the third managerial switch under Sir Jim Ratcliffe in three years, adding to pressure on the club's ownership. Reported costs run close to 15 million euros, with Carrick due compensation of 6 million euros and about 8.5 million euros going to the US federation to end Pochettino's contract.

Compensation to Michael Carrick6

Payment to US Soccer Federation8.5

Compensation to Michael Carrick

6 EUR million

Payment to US Soccer Federation

8.5 EUR million

Data from the article text

Criticism of the handling

Sources close to the club described the way the situation was handled as lacking any class. The club defended its planning, pointing to scheduling difficulties and a parallel INEOS summit in Monaco led by Ratcliffe. Pochettino himself addressed the timing of the talks at his press conference.

“Everything happened very quickly. On Sunday afternoon some contact began. We were completely transparent with the American football federation.”

Supporters are already angry with the board, and the team's results have put the club under scrutiny. United sit 18th in the Premier League, inside the relegation zone, with eight points from ten matches and only one win. The club is nonetheless doing well in the Champions League league phase, according to one report.

Record and playing style

Pochettino started coaching at Espanyol in 2009 before moving to Southampton, where he set the club's Premier League points record in 2014. He then spent five full seasons at Tottenham, qualifying for the Champions League four seasons running and reaching the 2019 final. At Paris Saint-Germain from 2021 he won Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the Trophée des Champions, before joining Chelsea in 2023. Articles describe a high-pressing side that builds patiently from the back, usually in a 4-2-3-1, though he has also used three central defenders.

First fixtures

Pochettino will first lead the US in the two remaining Concacaf Nations League quarter-final games against Haiti. His United debut at Anfield on 22 November is expected to include his staff, among them longtime assistant Jesús Pérez. On 25 November, United travel to Portugal to face Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.