Manchester United confirm Pochettino as head coach from 18 November after Carrick exit
Manchester United have their man. A day after sacking Michael Carrick, the club confirmed on Friday that Mauricio Pochettino will become head coach on 18 November, once he finishes his final games in charge of the United States.
The announcement
United said in a statement that Pochettino is "renowned for his high-intensity, attacking style of football" and his record of developing players. The 54-year-old Argentine previously managed Tottenham and Chelsea.
US Soccer confirmed he "will depart his role as head coach of the US men's national team following the conclusion of the current camp to become head coach of Manchester United," BBC Sport reported. The Evening Standard has reported that US Soccer is entitled to around $10 million in compensation through an exit clause.
Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to become the Manchester United men's head coach from 18 November.
A brutal first week
There is no gentle start. Pochettino's first game will be against Liverpool at Anfield a week on Sunday, BBC Sport said. United then travel to Portugal to face Sporting in the Champions League.
| Date | Fixture |
|---|---|
| 14 November | United States v Haiti (Pochettino's last camp) |
| 17 November | United States v Haiti |
| 18 November | Starts at Manchester United |
| Sunday 22 November ("a week on Sunday") | Liverpool v Manchester United, Anfield |
| 28 November | Manchester United v Brentford, first home game |
Source: BBC Sport; Manchester United; US Soccer.
How United got here
Carrick rejoined the club in January and guided United to third place last season, winning 12 of the last 17 games, according to the club statement carried by the Mirror. This season has collapsed.
United have courted Pochettino before. The Mirror reported he was considered for the job in 2022, when the club instead hired Erik ten Hag.
The task
Pochettino inherits a squad low on confidence and a club sitting in the bottom three. His first home game, against Brentford on Saturday, 28 November, will be his first chance to win over Old Trafford.