Mauricio Pochettino Leaves USMNT to Take Over Manchester United

Manchester United has appointed Mauricio Pochettino as their new head coach following a turbulent start to the Premier League season. Reports indicate the English club finalized the agreement on Wednesday, moving to dismiss Michael Carrick earlier in the day as the team languishes in the relegation zone.

The transition arrives less than three months after Pochettino committed to a four-year contract extension with U.S. Soccer in August, which followed the national team's round-of-16 appearance at the 2026 World Cup hosted on home soil. To secure his release from the federation, Manchester United activated a buyout clause reported to be valued at approximately $10 million. His departure leaves U.S. Soccer scrambling for leadership ahead of the upcoming Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals against Haiti on November 14 and 17.

Pochettino steps into a struggling English side facing its first potential relegation threat since the 1973–74 campaign. The 54-year-old Argentine brings extensive Premier League experience to Old Trafford, having previously managed Tottenham Hotspur—guiding them to the 2019 Champions League final—and Chelsea during the 2023–24 season, alongside a Ligue 1 title stint with Paris Saint-Germain.

What to watch next: Pochettino's debut at the helm is slated for a high-stakes fixture against rival Liverpool when the Premier League resumes following the international break on November 22.