Manchester United close to Pochettino, US Fed in play
Manchester United is going through a difficult period, to the point of involving the United States Soccer Federation.
According to The Athletic, the current head coach of the US Fed, Mauricio Pochettino, is the number one candidate for the Red Devils' bench in case of Michael Carrick's dismissal.
The team has won only three league matches: one in the Premier League and two in the Champions League, including a victory against Roma.
The management is considering a change of leadership to turn the season around.
Negotiations with Pochettino are advanced and, if concluded, would end his relationship with the Fed after just over two years.
United would have to pay a compensation of around 10 million to release him.
For the coach it would be a return to England after Premier League spells with Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea, as well as periods in Spain with Espanyol and in France with PSG, where between 2020 and 2022 he won Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the Trophée des Champions.
USA looking for a successor
Among the names being considered by the US Fed is Brian Joseph Callaghan, current Nashville coach, who has held positions as technical assistant and assistant coach of the national team and led the USA to the Gold Cup semifinals in 2023.
Steve Cherundolo, already selected for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and praised for a long‑term project towards the 2030 World Cup, is also on the list.
Other candidates mentioned are former Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann, Eddie Howe – previously mentioned for the post‑Carrick role at Manchester United – and Pellegrino Matarazzo.
Pochettino poised to take United job as Carrick's exit looms
The US Fed will play the first leg of the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal against Haiti on Saturday 14 November, with the return leg scheduled for the night of 17–18 November at 1 a.m.; a friendly against Jamaica is set for 13 December.
Advanced negotiation for Pochettino
David Ornstein revealed that Manchester United is finalising a deal for Pochettino, conditioned on Carrick's dismissal.
Pochettino's contract with the US Fed includes a termination clause of $10 m (roughly between £7 million and £7.5 million).
United has not yet contacted the US Fed to trigger the clause, and an additional compensation will be required for his staff.
Ornstein explained that Julian Nagelsmann, Eddie Howe and Antonio Conte were mentioned but are not in negotiation phase, leaving Pochettino as the chosen candidate.
Ben Jacobs confirmed that United is planning a meeting in Monaco, with Carrick still awaiting notification, and that Pochettino is eager to take the role.
Final decision on Carrick
Co‑owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, sporting director Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada will meet in Monaco on Wednesday to decide Carrick's future.
Manchester United close to securing Pochettino and USA target Guardiola
Sources reported that United spent Tuesday finalising personal terms with Pochettino's representatives, without foreseeing problems, but the exit clause still needs to be paid.
If the negotiation is successful, Pochettino will arrive with his staff, whose hiring will require an additional compensation.
Currently Manchester United occupies one of the bottom three spots in the Premier League and has not yet dismissed Carrick.
It is expected that the final decision on Carrick's future will be made within the week.
Sources also indicated that Sir Alex Ferguson has long supported Pochettino for the role, while CEO Omar Berrada openly favours him.