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Pochettino Agrees Two-and-a-Half-Year Manchester United Deal, Will Lead USMNT Through Haiti Games
By Megan McCarthy
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Photo: Berlination / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Mauricio Pochettino has agreed a two-and-a-half-year deal to become Manchester United’s next head coach, replacing Michael Carrick, according to Sky Sports, while The Guardian reports that the Argentine is expected to lead the United States men’s national team through its remaining Nations League matches before making the move to Old Trafford.
The agreement would bring Pochettino to United until the summer of 2029, Sky Sports reported Thursday, November 12. The Guardian separately reported that the framework of a deal had been agreed and that United had formally contacted U.S. Soccer to pursue Pochettino’s services.
No official announcement has been made by Manchester United or U.S. Soccer. Sky Sports reported that a formal announcement of Pochettino’s appointment was expected Friday. The Guardian’s reporting confirms negotiations and contact with the federation, but does not establish that an appointment has been formally announced.
Pochettino is expected to remain with the United States for its two Concacaf Nations League quarter-final matches against Haiti before taking charge at United. The Guardian reported that the matches are scheduled for Saturday and Tuesday, in Miami and Cincinnati, respectively. Sky Sports reported that Pochettino would oversee the games on Saturday and Wednesday. The conflicting reports do not establish a settled date for the second fixture.
According to The Guardian, a source with direct knowledge of U.S. Soccer’s plans confirmed Thursday that Pochettino would lead the national team through the remainder of the international window. He has been overseeing training at the federation’s headquarters and training facility outside Atlanta this week.
The financial terms also differ between the reports. Sky Sports reported that Pochettino has a £7 million release clause in his United States contract. The Guardian put the required buyout at $10 million, equivalent to £7.5 million, and reported that United would also need to pay millions more, reportedly, to bring Pochettino’s longtime assistant coaching staff to Manchester. The Guardian said those assistants are also expected to make the move.
Pochettino has not publicly addressed his connection to United, although The Guardian reported that he is scheduled to speak to reporters Friday morning. The Guardian also reported that he had kept U.S. Soccer informed of the ongoing negotiations and that he and his representatives had already worked through the details of a proposed agreement.
United’s managerial change follows Carrick’s dismissal on Thursday. Sky Sports reported that the decision was ratified by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe at a Monaco summit, following recommendations from chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox.
Carrick’s departure came after United’s 4-4 draw against Aston Villa on Sunday. The club had conceded twice inside four minutes and fallen 4-2 behind early in the second half before recovering to claim a draw. Sky Sports reported that the result followed a similar comeback against Roma in the Champions League but failed to persuade the club hierarchy to retain Carrick.
United said in a Thursday morning statement that it had reached “the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions.”
Carrick initially took charge in January 2026 following Ruben Amorim’s dismissal, winning 12 of 17 matches and guiding United to third place in the Premier League and a Champions League return. He signed a new contract in May running until 2028, but Sky Sports reported that three wins in 15 matches this season cost him his position. His overall record was 15 wins in 32 matches, a 46.9 percent win rate.
Sky Sports also reported that Jonny Evans, Jonathan Woodgate, Steve Holland, Travis Binnion and goalkeeping coach Craig Mawson have left the club alongside Carrick. Connor King, an assistant first-team goalkeeping coach who joined two months ago, is the only member of the coaching staff reported to remain.
Pochettino, formerly manager of Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, has previously been considered for the United position on three occasions, according to Sky Sports.
His anticipated first match in charge is the trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on November 22, Sky Sports reported.
For the United States, the immediate priority remains Haiti and the Nations League quarter-finals. The Guardian quoted US striker Folarin Balogun, who said Thursday: “If I had a vote, I’d like to keep things the way they are.”
Defender Antonee Robinson said Tuesday that the squad was accustomed to adapting to changing circumstances and remained focused on its next match and preparation.
Pochettino’s potential departure would therefore come with the United States still navigating its international schedule, while Manchester United prepares for another managerial transition.
Megan McCarthy
Soccer Writer, The Library Media
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