Mauricio Pochettino Leaves USMNT to Take Over as Manchester United Head Coach
Mauricio Pochettino has departed his position with the United States men's national team to accept a two-and-a-half-year contract at Old Trafford, following Manchester United's payment of a $10 million release clause.
⚽Soccer in the USPhoto: The Athletic
Key points
- Pochettino signs a deal through 2028-29 at Old Trafford after United triggered a $10 million release.
- He will coach the USMNT in the upcoming Concacaf Nations League games against Haiti before leaving.
- U.S. Soccer executives JT Batson and Dan Helfrich will lead the search for his replacement.
Manchester United have secured Mauricio Pochettino as their new head coach on a deal spanning through the end of the 2028-29 season, after activating the $10 million (£7.4m) release clause in his agreement with U.S. Soccer. The appointment follows the dismissal of Michael Carrick. Pochettino will complete his upcoming international commitments by leading the USMNT through their Concacaf Nations League quarter-final fixtures against Haiti before officially stepping into his new role in English club football, with his Premier League debut penciled in for a November 22 clash against Liverpool at Anfield.
During his tenure with the American program, which began in September 2024, Pochettino compiled a record of 21 wins, 12 losses, and two draws across 35 matches, culminating in a run to the World Cup last-16 on home soil over the summer. His long-time assistant Jesus Perez and other members of his coaching staff will accompany him to Manchester. Meanwhile, U.S. Soccer announced that a leadership group featuring CEO JT Batson, COO Dan Helfrich, Emma Hayes, and Oguchi Onyewu will spearhead the search for a successor, with U.S. Under-23 Olympic coach Steve Cherundolo slated to manage the upcoming December training camp.
Pochettino brings extensive Premier League experience from previous stints at Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea, alongside a spell at Paris Saint-Germain. Known for implementing a high-pressing tactical identity and developing young talent, the Argentine manager takes over a United squad looking to stabilize its performance after a turbulent period.
Source The Athletic — nytimes.com/athletic/7774384/2026/11/13/mauricio-pochettino-manches… ↗
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