Mauricio Pochettino during USMNT v Belgium on March 28 2026 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, 28 March 2026. [Bryan Berlin / Wikimedia Commons / Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en)]
Culture & History

Manchester United Appoint Pochettino After Carrick Sacking

The Argentine will finish two U.S. matches against Haiti before taking charge on November 18

Naffah Ibrahim

Manchester United have appointed Mauricio Pochettino as their new head coach after dismissing Michael Carrick, with the club in the Premier League relegation zone.

The 54-year-old Argentine will begin work on November 18 after completing his remaining commitments with the United States men's national team, United announced on Friday.

United's League Struggles

Carrick was dismissed on Thursday after United collected eight points from their opening 10 league matches, including just one victory, leaving them 18th in the standings.

They have won only three of 15 matches across all competitions this season.

The dismissal marks a reversal from Carrick's previous campaign.

In its official departure statement, United said he had guided the club to third place in 2025-26, winning 12 of the final 17 Premier League matches after taking charge in January.

United cited Pochettino's "high-intensity, attacking style of football" and record of developing players.

He previously coached Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, leading Tottenham to the 2019 Champions League final and winning the French league title with PSG.

Sky Sports reported that Pochettino has agreed a contract running until summer 2029.

The Manchester United Supporters' Trust welcomed his appointment but urged the club to provide the resources needed for him to succeed.

US Departure And Transition

Pochettino's departure comes just over three months after U.S. Soccer announced a new agreement on August 3 that would have kept him in charge through 2030.

The federation said at the time that his expanded responsibilities would include advising on youth development, coaching education and other technical work beyond the senior national team.

He has led the United States since September 2024 and guided the team to the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup.

He will oversee the Nations League quarterfinal matches against Haiti in Miami on November 14 and Cincinnati on November 17 before leaving.

U.S. Soccer chief executive JT Batson thanked Pochettino and his staff for strengthening ties between youth and senior teams.

United's first fixture under Pochettino is scheduled for November 22, away to Liverpool at Anfield.

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