Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to become Manchester United’s new head coach, ending the club’s search for Michael Carrick’s successor in little more than a day.
The 54-year-old Argentine leaves his role as USA head coach and has agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract, running to the summer of 2029. The appointment follows Carrick’s sacking on Thursday, with United 18th in the Premier League after one league win all season.
- Two-and-a-half-year contract, running to summer 2029
- United triggered a $10m (£7.5m) release clause in his USA contract
- He takes charge of the USA against Haiti on Saturday and Tuesday first
- First game in charge: Liverpool away on Sunday 22 November
Pochettino was the only candidate United spoke to directly. He was the unanimous choice of the club’s leadership, and the appointment was approved by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family. He will be United’s eighth permanent head coach since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
What was said
“Pochettino has consistently performed at the highest level of football across multiple leagues.”Manchester United statement
“The opportunity to represent the USA crest was one of the greatest honours of my career.”Mauricio Pochettino
Gary Neville warned that a new manager alone will not fix the club’s problems.
“You can keep changing the manager and thinking that’s going to be the answer.”Gary Neville
Fourth time lucky
United had considered Pochettino three times before, after Jose Mourinho’s sacking in 2018, before Erik ten Hag’s appointment in 2022, and in May 2024, when Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox interviewed him after he left Chelsea. United kept Ten Hag that summer, and Pochettino took the USA job in September 2024.
He led the USA to the last 16 of their home World Cup this summer. Before that, he managed Southampton, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, and his Tottenham side reached the 2019 Champions League final. He tops our ranking of every Spurs manager of the Premier League era.
A brutal start at Anfield
Pochettino will fly to Manchester on Wednesday and take his first training session on Thursday. He then has three days to prepare for a trip to Liverpool. Our lesser-known facts about Liverpool vs Manchester United cover the history of the rivalry.
The size of the task is clear from the early title and relegation trends, with United caught in a crowded fight near the bottom. He also inherits a reduced backroom team, after Jonny Evans, Jonathan Woodgate, Steve Holland, Travis Binnion and Craig Mawson left with Carrick.
Pochettino is the first permanent appointment since the season’s first two sackings. Crystal Palace are close to replacing Pierre Sage with Thomas Frank, and both former Tottenham Hotspur managers join our list of every Premier League manager since 1992.
Frequently asked questions
Here are quick answers to the main questions about Pochettino’s appointment.
How long is Pochettino’s Manchester United contract?
Pochettino has agreed a two-and-a-half-year contract, which runs until the summer of 2029.
When is Pochettino’s first game as Manchester United head coach?
His first game is away at Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday 22 November 2026.
How much did Manchester United pay to release Pochettino?
United triggered the $10m (£7.5m) release clause in his USA contract.
Will Pochettino still manage the USA against Haiti?
Yes. He takes charge of both Concacaf Nations League matches against Haiti before starting work at Old Trafford.
Sources: Manchester United, ESPN, Sky Sports and PA.