Guardiola looms as US dream if Pochettino departs for Manchester United
Pep Guardiola, 55, watched the New York City FC versus New York Red Bulls match after receiving messages from Manchester City supporters, and US Soccer are moving to find a replacement that could see him take over from Mauricio Pochettino should he depart for Manchester United, a move that could trigger a domino effect after Michael Carrick’s imminent exit.
Manchester United's preferred successor
The Athletic Manchester United’s preferred candidate to take over the club in 2027 is Argentine Mauricio Pochettino, who is currently the United States national team coach. US Soccer – the federation of futebol of the United States (Estados Unidos) – has already begun moving to secure a possible replacement for Pochettino. US Soccer officials consider Pep Guardiola the ideal coach should the Argentine confirm his move. Convincing Guardiola to return to management only six months after leaving Manchester City would be a major difficulty.
In July, the Italian Football Federation approached Guardiola to manage Italy after they missed a third consecutive World Cup. The 55‑year‑old coach declined, opting for a sabbatical for family reasons. Italian federation president Giovanni Malago said Guardiola would work with Italy if he chose to act. In 2012, after a sabbatical following his Barcelona tenure, Guardiola lived in New York to recharge before joining Bayern Munich and later Manchester City.
Pochettino, Kane and United’s plan
Mauricio Pochettino is being tipped to reunite with Harry Kane at Manchester United after reaching a full agreement to replace Michael Carrick. Harry Kane finished his Premier League career as the second‑highest scorer with 213 goals, behind Alan Shearer’s 260. Kane recently signed new terms with Bayern Munich.
Pochettino is on the cusp of becoming Manchester United’s new manager. United officials held a meeting in Monaco on Wednesday, with expectations that Carrick will be dismissed in a face‑to‑face meeting on Thursday. James Ducker reported on X that Michael Carrick is expected to be informed on Thursday of his sacking.
Director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada are flying back from Monaco tonight, likely to meet Carrick on Thursday. Manchester United have lined up Mauricio Pochettino to replace Carrick, although he remains slated to manage the United States’ two games against Haiti. Matteo Morreto stated that the parties have reached a full agreement pending Carrick’s dismissal. United must notify the United States national side of their intention to trigger Pochettino’s $10 million release clause, and they are prepared to pay the sum.
Tim Sherwood said he would not be surprised to see Pochettino and Kane reunite at Old Trafford in the coming years. Sherwood told Jamie Redknapp that if Pochettino joins Manchester United, there is a greater chance Harry Kane will move there within two years. Redknapp suggested Kane could break Alan Shearer’s Premier League goals record. Reportedly, Sherwood said Kane’s new deal would make Alan Shearer delighted, implying the record is under threat.
US Soccer want Pep Guardiola to replace Pochettino as the men’s national team head coach. Pochettino appears set to leave for Manchester United after agreeing a deal in principle to replace Michael Carrick. Guardiola has been out of management since the summer when he left Manchester City after a decade. Guardiola has won six Premier League titles and the Champions League, but has never managed at international level. Some reports refer to Manchester United simply as MAN.