Manchester United have confirmed that Mauricio Pochettino will become their new head coach on a two-and-a-half-year contract at Old Trafford.
The Argentine will succeed Michael Carrick, who was dismissed after 10 months in charge on Friday. United have agreed to pay more than £10million to release Pochettino and his backroom team from their contracts with the US Soccer Federation.
The 54-year-old will first oversee the USA’s CONCACAF Nations League double-header against Haiti in Miami on Saturday and Cincinnati on Wednesday before starting his new role at United. His opening match is expected to come against Liverpool at Anfield a week on Sunday.
Neither Pochettino nor United officials commented in Friday’s announcement because he remains under contract with US Soccer.
Pochettino said in the USMNT’s statement: ‘The opportunity to represent the USA crest was one of the greatest honors of my career. We are so grateful to the players for their commitment, to the fans for their belief, and to the Federation for always supporting our staff and creating the opportunities to impact the culture of soccer in this great country.’
He is scheduled to hold a pre-match press conference at 2.15pm on Friday, although he is not expected to discuss United until he formally begins work next week.
United sources believe Pochettino’s experience, footballing philosophy, personality and skill set make him an ideal appointment. His reputation for improving individual players and creating strong team cultures was also viewed as a major attraction.
Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed Manchester United manager
Michael Carrick was dismissed after United made their worst start to a season in 40 years
A statement from the club read: ‘Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to become the Manchester United men’s head coach from 18 November.
‘The club has reached an agreement with the US Soccer Federation for Mauricio and his staff to be released after the conclusion of their responsibilities with the US men’s national team.
‘The Argentinian is renowned for his high-intensity, attacking style of football, his dedication to building strong, cohesive teams and his outstanding record of developing individual players.
‘Pochettino has consistently operated at the highest level across several leagues. He began his coaching career with Espanyol in 2009 before moving to Southampton, where he guided the club to a record Premier League points tally in 2014.
‘Across five full seasons at Tottenham Hotspur, Pochettino established the club as regular UEFA Champions League contenders, securing qualification in four successive seasons and taking them to their first final in the competition in 2019.
‘He joined Paris Saint-Germain in 2021, winning the Ligue 1 title, Coupe de France and Trophée des Champions before moving to Chelsea in 2023. Most recently, he led the U.S. Men’s National Team to the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup.’
Earlier in the week, United chief executive Omar Berrada and Wilcox returned from Monaco, where minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe ratified the decision to dismiss Carrick with the approval of co-chairmen Joel and Avram Glazer.
Carrick arrived at United’s training ground at 7.50am on Thursday and was subsequently dismissed.
He left at 10.18am, less than two and a half hours later, becoming the first Premier League manager to lose his job this season.
United’s statement read: ‘After a disappointing start to the season, the club has come to the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions.
‘Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. Just as he did as a player, he has conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism throughout his time back with the club.
‘His leadership and achievements last season will always be fondly remembered.’
Sources close to United say the club’s leadership believes the squad is considerably stronger than its performances and results under Carrick suggested.
United believe the squad is much stronger than its Premier League position indicates
The club gave the under-pressure manager opportunities to change the team’s fortunes against Chelsea, Roma and Aston Villa, but ultimately concluded that United were not moving in the right direction.
It has been a difficult campaign in which United have won only three matches, including one against Azerbaijani minnows FK Sabah, while they are still waiting to keep their first clean sheet in the league.
Pochettino’s United will travel to Anfield on November 22 before facing Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League. His first home match will come against Brentford, followed by an away fixture at Newcastle.
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