Argentinian Pochettino nears Manchester United as new manager
The Red Devils have apparently settled on the US national team coach as successor to Michael Carrick. Julian Nagelsmann was also considered a candidate. Mauricio Pochettino could in the future be in charge of English football record champions Manchester United. According to reports, the Red Devils have reached a basic verbal agreement with the 54‑year‑old Argentine on a role as team manager. Pochettino is therefore set to succeed Michael Carrick, who is currently facing dismissal. A final decision on Carrick's future has not yet been made. It is expected to be taken at a meeting of the club's leadership with co‑owner Jim Ratcliffe on Wednesday in Monaco.
United in deep crisis
United is deep in crisis after the worst start to a season in forty years. With only one win from the first ten league games, the team sits in eighteenth place in the Premier League. Most recently, the side went eight league games in a row without a win.
Pochettino, who had already been linked repeatedly as a candidate for the Old Trafford managerial position, extended his contract with the US soccer federation in August until the 2030 World Cup. An early termination would require a compensation of roughly €8.6 million.
United close to appointing Pochettino and deciding on Carrick
According to The Athletic, United has so far not made any contact with the federation. The former manager of Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint‑Germain and Chelsea took over the US national team in September 2024 and led them to the round of 16 at the home World Cup 2026, where they were eliminated by Belgium 1‑4. In addition to Pochettino, Julian Nagelsmann, Eddie Howe and Antonio Conte have also recently been linked as possible successors to Carrick.
Pochettino poised to take United job as Carrick's exit looms