Manchester United Hires USA Manager Mauricio Pochettino

It's official: Mauricio Pochettino is leaving the U.S. men's national team. On Friday, a day after Manchester United fired Michael Carrick, 20-time English champions named Pochettino as his replacement at the helm of the 20-time English champions, who are currently in the Premier League relegation zone after winning just one of their first 10 matches to begin the season. The 54-year-old Argentine will lead the Americans for two final games, on Saturday and Tuesday vs. Haiti in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals, before taking over the Red Devils in time for Sunday's trip to rivals Liverpool. Pochettino signed a contract extension with U.S. Soccer in August that runs through the 2030 World Cup, following the USA's run to the round of 16 at the 2026 event. To get him out of that deal, United triggered a buyout clause reportedly worth nearly $10 million. Pochettino's assistant coaches, including longtime top deputy Jesus Perez, will follow him to Old Trafford. "The club has reached an agreement with the U.S. Soccer Federation for Mauricio and his staff to be released after the conclusion of their responsibilities with the U.S. Men's National Team," Manchester United said as part of their announcement, which said he'll formally take over the Red Devils on Nov. 18. In 35 games at the American helm, the former Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Southampton manager posted a record of 21W-11L-2T. Three of those victories came at the 2026 World Cup, making Pochettino the winningest USA men's coach at soccer's marquee tournament. U.S. Soccer now needs a new coach for the 2030 cycle. Here are the top candidates to replace him. "Mauricio has left a lasting mark on U.S. Soccer through his leadership, professionalism and commitment to our players and culture," U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson said in a press release. "He and his staff raised standards, strengthened our culture and created clearer connections from the youth national teams to the senior team. Those changes are now embedded in how we operate, and we will keep building on them as we pursue sustained success on the world stage." Pochettino inherits a club in crisis. United sit in the Premier League's relegation zone after a dismal start to the season under Carrick. United have not been relegated since the 1973-74 season. Carrick, a former United midfielder, was named permanent manager this past offseason after impressing as interim boss following Ruben Amorim's sacking in January. His permanent tenure lasted less than six months. Pochettino's first match in charge could be one of the toughest on the calendar. United return from the international break against Liverpool on Nov. 22. The 54-year-old Argentine is no stranger to the Premier League. He led Tottenham Hotspur to the 2019 Champions League final and later managed Chelsea for the 2023-24 season. He also won a Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain. Pochettino took over the national team in September 2024. His departure leaves U.S. Soccer searching for a new coach ahead of the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals, with matches against Haiti on Nov. 14 and 17 in the United States.