Mauricio Pochettino leaves U.S. job to take Manchester United helm
The Argentine manager signs a two-and-a-half-year deal to replace Michael Carrick, who was dismissed following the club's worst league start in four decades.
By Diego Mendoza ·
Mauricio Pochettino will leave the U.S. men's national team next week to become the new manager of Manchester United. The 54-year-old Argentine announced the move on Friday during a news conference at the U.S. team training camp in Fayetteville, Georgia. He tearfully described the choice as one of the most difficult decisions of his career, acknowledging the sadness of departing just three months after signing with the U.S. Soccer Federation.
Pochettino signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the English club. He is set to take charge on Nov. 18, four days before Manchester United hosts Liverpool in a Premier League match. This appointment makes him the eighth permanent coach or manager at Old Trafford since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. The club is currently 18th in the 20-team league after 10 games of the season.
The hiring follows the firing of Michael Carrick one day earlier. Carrick was dismissed after overseeing Manchester United's worst league start in 40 years. Pochettino said he did not want to discuss the current state of the club upon his arrival. He noted that opportunities like Manchester United are rare in a coaching career and that it is difficult to turn them down.
The U.S. Soccer Federation is receiving a release fee from Manchester United to terminate Pochettino's contract. CEO JT Batson stated that these funds will be used to hire coaches and support youth national team programs. Batson said the money allows the federation to invest in its long-term goals. Pochettino took over the U.S. team in the fall of 2024 and led them to the round of 16 at this year's World Cup.
Pochettino and his assistants will remain with the U.S. squad for two upcoming matches. The team plays Haiti in the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals on Saturday and Tuesday. Pochettino said he informed his players and staff of his departure in a meeting on Thursday. He praised the group for their support and said they understood the situation. He emphasized his commitment to winning the remaining two games before he leaves.
The U.S. Soccer Federation has not yet named a successor. President Cindy Parlow Cone and CEO JT Batson will lead the search. They will be assisted by women's national team coach Emma Hayes and former defender Oguchi Onyewu. The next game for the U.S. with a full player pool is likely in late March, giving the federation time to deliberate on the next hire. The Under-23 coach Steve Cherundolo will lead a senior training camp next month with players primarily from Major League Soccer.
Pochettino's record with the U.S. team stands at 21 wins, 12 losses, and two draws. He was the first long-term U.S. coach not to win any titles since Steve Sampson coached the team from 1995 to 1998. Parlow Cone called his work over the last two years unbelievable, saying he helped improve the entire federation. Batson and chief operating officer Dan Helfrich will manage the transition process.
Manchester United has spent large sums on coaching and executive contracts over the past 13 years. The club has paid more than $100 million in severance payments alone. Pochettino earned just over $5 million during his first seven months as U.S. coach, according to the federation's tax filing. His salary at United is not public, as European soccer teams typically do not disclose coach pay. The club is betting on his high-intensity style to revive a team that has not won the league since 2013.
Pochettino previously coached Southampton, Tottenham, Chelsea, Espanyol, and Paris Saint-Germain. He won the French league title with PSG in 2022. He never won a major trophy in England, most recently losing the English League Cup final with Chelsea in 2024. His most notable achievement was turning Tottenham into a consistent contender and leading them to the 2019 Champions League final.
