Pochettino takes charge of United, seeks rescue from relegation zone

The 54-year-old Argentinian Mauricio Pochettino was confirmed as the new head coach of Manchester United. He therefore succeeds Michael Carrick, who left the position on 18 November. Pochettino moves from the U.S. national team back to the Premier League and will remain with the United States in two games against Haiti until Tuesday.

United in crisis

Manchester United, the Red Devils, are in 18th place at the time of the announcement and are fighting to avoid relegation. The struggling Premier League club has introduced Pochettino. The team has recorded only one win in ten games – the worst start to a season in four decades. After the 4-4 draw against Aston Villa, United remain in 18th place. Michael Carrick had taken over the role in January from Ruben Amorim and led United back into the Champions League. In May, Carrick signed a contract until 2028.

Pochettino's new task

Pochettino signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Manchester United. He is therefore the eighth head coach since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013, during which several interim coaches were appointed. His first match as United's manager is the away game at Liverpool on 22 November. The official statement reads: “Pochettino has consistently played at the highest level in various leagues.”

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Experience and financial conditions

In the Premier League, Pochettino had already coached Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea and won the French championship as well as the Coupe de France with Paris Saint‑Germain. United reportedly had to pay a transfer fee of around 10 million dollars to the U.S. national team to secure Pochettino. The contract is set to run until mid‑2029. In United's squad remains Argentinian Lisandro Martínez, who recently criticised the club's management.

The club expects Pochettino on Wednesday, 18 November, after the international break. United have only eight points after ten matchdays and sit 19 points behind league leaders Arsenal. The United States face Haiti on Saturday in Miami and on Tuesday in Cincinnati.

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