The Library Media — Sports · Soccer
Manchester United Appoint Mauricio Pochettino as Head Coach
By Megan McCarthy
Photo: Дмитрий Голубович / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Manchester United have appointed Mauricio Pochettino as their new head coach, completing a managerial change that developed this week following the sacking of Michael Carrick, according to Sky Sports and ESPN.
Pochettino has left his position as head coach of the United States men’s national team to take the Manchester United job, the U.S. Soccer Federation said Friday in a statement carried by ESPN.
The federation said Pochettino will leave the U.S. team on Nov. 17. Steve Cherundolo will lead the United States men’s national team’s December camp on an interim basis.
The appointment completes a story that accelerated this week. Manchester United sacked Carrick before reports Thursday identified Pochettino as the expected replacement. Sky Sports and ESPN reported Friday that United had now confirmed Pochettino’s appointment.
No further contract details or financial terms were provided in the sourcing for this report.
Pochettino’s departure brings his time as the United States men’s national team head coach to an end, with Cherundolo set to take interim responsibility for the December camp.
Megan McCarthy
Sports Desk, The Library Media
From The Library — the estate of our family.
Update, November 13: Pochettino spoke about the decision on Friday. “It’s difficult to talk now,” he said. “I’m a very emotional guy. It’s a very sad decision. But we are professionals and we are trying to make our dreams come true.” He added: “I never said I wanted to go back but they know there aren’t too many opportunities that happen in your career like Manchester United. When it arrives, it’s difficult to turn down.” Sources told BBC Sport he has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with United, who paid a release clause in the region of £7.4 million to release him from his USA contract, with a further payment for his backroom staff. Pochettino had signed a new four-year deal with the USA only in the summer. He will depart for Manchester after leading the USA in its matches against Haiti on November 14 and 18, and his first match in charge of United will be away to Liverpool on November 22. (BBC Sport)
