Pochettino to quit USMNT and take United helm as new manager

Mauricio Pochettino will step down as United States Men’s National Team head coach at the end of the current international window and take over as Manchester United manager, the two organisations announced on Friday. The Argentine will leave the USMNT after a tenure of two years and ten weeks to replace Michael Carrick at Old Trafford.

Departure from USMNT

His final duties will be the CONCACAF Nations League fixtures against Haiti on 14 November and 17 November. Pochettino is 54 and was three months into a new four‑year contract with U.S. Soccer when he decided to leave. He took charge of the United States Men’s National Team in September 2024 and has compiled a 21‑12‑2 record across all competitions. Under his guidance the side reached the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup final and progressed to the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on home soil.

The United States finished first in its World Cup group and recorded its first knockout‑round victory since 2002, giving Pochettino the most World Cup wins of any USMNT head coach with three. "The opportunity to represent the USA crest was one of the greatest honours of my career," he said. "Mauricio has left a lasting mark on U.S. Soccer through his leadership, professionalism and commitment to our players and culture," said U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson.

A total of 75 players earned at least one cap during his spell, and 11 players under the age of 21 made senior debuts in the September‑October window. Reed Baker‑Whiting and Santiago Castãneda were also included in the squad and could still debut this window. "I want to thank Mauricio and his staff for all their contributions over the past two years to move our Men’s National Team forward," said U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone. The search for his successor will be led by JT Batson, Dan Helfrich, Emma Hayes and Oguchi Onyewu.

Manchester United appointment

Manchester United dismissed Michael Carrick on Thursday and announced Pochettino as the new manager on Friday afternoon. The club currently sit 18th in the 20‑team English Premier League after winning only one of their first ten league matches. United have also secured two Champions League victories under Carrick this season. Reports suggest Pochettino has signed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year contract with the club.

United are understood to be paying U.S. Soccer $10 million in compensation for Pochettino and $2 million for the departure of his coaching staff. Steve Cherundolo will lead the United States’ December training camp, which will feature a primarily MLS‑based roster, and there will be no separate U‑23 camp. Pochettino previously managed Espanyol, Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Paris Saint‑Germain. He is already linked with January signings Alex Freeman and Folarin Balogun, the latter a 25‑year‑old forward who was linked with Everton this summer.

Freeman, 22, is a versatile defender who can operate at right‑back or centre‑back and has been a regular starter for the United States. Balogun’s representatives have indicated his willingness to join United after a contentious red‑card incident at the recent World Cup. United’s first league match after the international break will be at Anfield against Liverpool, followed by games against Brentford and Sporting. Former United captain Gary Neville told News that he has always wanted Pochettino at the club and praised his understanding of its size.

Future outlook

U.S. Soccer will continue its December camp under Cherundolo while evaluating candidates for the senior head‑coach role. The federation remains confident in its talent pool, citing the recent four‑match winning streak over Peru, Chile, Mexico and Canada. During that run, eight teenagers made their senior debuts and seven of the United States’ twelve goals came from players uncapped at the start of the camp. Pochettino’s departure arrives as Manchester United aim to climb out of the relegation zone and stabilise under his leadership.