Pochettino poised to take United job as Carrick's exit looms
Michael Carrick is set to leave as Man Utd manager while Argentine Mauricio Pochettino, the former Tottenham and Chelsea boss, is ready to accept United’s offer to replace him, a move that could reshape the club’s fortunes in the coming weeks.
Negotiations and financial terms
United have opened talks with the Argentine about potentially replacing Carrick, who is expected to be relieved of his duties within the next 48 hours at Manchester United.
Sources have told that, once Carrick’s future is clarified, USA manager Pochettino wants to take the job.
The former Tottenham and Chelsea boss says he will remain respectful to the US Soccer Federation and will wait for United to make an official approach.
The Red Devils would need to pay $10m (£7.5m) to release Pochettino from his contract, which he signed in August.
United’s precarious position and timing
The USA have a two‑legged Concacaf Nations League quarter‑final against Haiti over the next week.
That schedule means developments at Old Trafford could become awkward, especially if 54‑year‑old Pochettino were to leave midway through the current camp.
Nevertheless, he views managing United as a serious opportunity and would accept the role if formally offered.
United have spoken to the ex‑Argentina defender about their managerial vacancy on three previous occasions – when Jose Mourinho was sacked in 2018, before the 2022 appointment of Erik ten Hag and again after the Dutchman’s dismissal in 2024.
Carrick’s future will be decided at a meeting in Monaco on Wednesday attended by chief executive Omar Berrada, director of football Jason Wilcox and co‑owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Berrada and Wilcox have flown to Monaco for a regular, planned meeting to discuss club strategy.
Man Utd draw up fresh plan that could save Michael Carrick ahead of crunch Monaco meeting
The main issue on the agenda is Carrick’s future and the next steps.
It is expected that Berrada and Wilcox will recommend that the head coach departs.
Carrick, 45, was photographed arriving at the club’s Carrington training base on Wednesday.
United are 18th in the Premier League, inside the relegation zone, after winning just one of their first ten games and none since August.
The club’s current standing is its lowest at this stage of a top‑flight season since 1986‑87, when they were 20th.
Pochettino’s career and the club’s history
Pochettino’s first Premier League job was at Southampton from January 2013, followed by a five‑year spell at Tottenham from 2014 that included a Champions League final.
He then managed Paris St‑Germain from January 2021 to July 2022 before spending the 2023‑24 season in charge of Chelsea.
Pochettino moved into international football by taking the USA role in September 2024 and led the co‑hosts to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
Richard Keys calls for Wilcox and Berrada to follow Carrick out of Manchester United
It may seem immoral for United to discuss a new manager before confirming Carrick’s status, but such situations are not uncommon in football.
Jose Mourinho had agreed a contract with United in 2016 before Louis van Gaal was dismissed, a story reported by.
Earlier, Mark Hughes was replaced immediately by Roberto Mancini at Manchester City in 2009, with Hughes’ dismissal reported on the morning of his final game.
One source says the terms for Pochettino to join United are more or less agreed.
Another source adds United can decide whether the former Spurs and Chelsea boss remains with the USA team for the Haiti matches.
If he stayed, the turnaround would be from a Tuesday night match finishing in the early hours of Wednesday to being at Carrington for preparations before United’s game against Liverpool at Anfield on 22 November.
The juxtaposition of Carrick’s uncertain exit and Pochettino’s readiness to step in highlights the club’s urgent need for clarity, with a decisive meeting in Monaco set to shape United’s immediate future.