Manchester United have reached a preliminary agreement to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as their new manager once Michael Carrick is dismissed, according to Sky Sports.
United sit in the Premier League relegation zone in 18th place after securing just one victory in their opening 10 matches, marking the club’s worst start to a season in 30 years, as reported by Al Jazeera. Club executives are gathering in Monaco for a Wednesday summit to discuss the managerial transition before their upcoming fixture away against Liverpool on November 22, reports claimed.
Looks like we might be reaching the end game with Michael Carrick and @ManUtd. https://t.co/hxEOZfzuBo
Securing Pochettino requires a release clause valued at a reported $10m (£7.5m) to clear his departure from the United States men’s national team, where he recently signed a contract extension through the 2030 World Cup, according to The Guardian and Yahoo Sports.
U.S. Soccer’s retention of the manager earlier in the year was supported by a financial contribution from billionaire donor Ken Griffin, which protected federation grassroots initiatives from being drained, The Guardian noted.
🚨 Manchester United now set for final internal meeting to proceed with the expected plan: Michael Carrick to be sacked. Mauricio Pochettino’s $10m release clause is available and Man United are working on it + contract terms with his camp. 🎥➕ https://t.co/7LVjcwfT2f pic.twitter.com/I3Z9UCR8a8
“Even when we first met a couple summers ago, there were lots of other people interested in having Mauricio and team join,” U.S. Soccer CEO J.T. Batson said in May.
Pochettino has long been admired by the Old Trafford hierarchy, having previously been considered during his tenures at Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain, Sky Sports reported. Spanish football expert Guillem Balague said that the incoming coach shares a strong affinity with the club, recalling that Pochettino attended the 1999 Champions League final at Camp Nou, according to the BBC.
🚨 Mauricio Pochettino, ready to become the new Man United head coach with talks progressing. #mufc pic.twitter.com/2vo44lQMsu
Former teammate Morgan Schneiderlin expressed confidence in the appointment, stating that the players will understand very soon just how hard the Argentine coach wants them to work, DAZN reported.
“No, I’m not really worried about Mauricio Pochettino going to Manchester United at this moment,” Schneiderlin told DAZN News.
United’s defensive vulnerabilities remain an immediate concern after conceding 30 goals across 15 matches in all competitions this season, prompting scouting links to Premier League defenders Jarrad Branthwaite, Nathan Collins, and Calvin Bassey, according to Sports Illustrated.
Chief executive Omar Berrada, who previously advocated for Pochettino when evaluating managerial options at Manchester City, views the 54-year-old manager as a strong cultural fit for the Old Trafford side. The incoming coach’s biography features multiple references to former manager Sir Alex Ferguson, highlighting a mutual respect that dates back many years.
During his managerial career, the Argentine has earned a reputation for integrating young talent into matchday squads, a trait demonstrated during his previous stints at Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur. His arrival could provide particular developmental benefits for younger squad members such as Shea Lacey.
The timing of the departure makes preparations difficult for the United States men's national team, which plays CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal matches against Haiti this Saturday and Tuesday.
“That news kind of got sprung on us, like the rest of the world, I'd say,” defender Antonee Robinson told the news.
United’s current squad features key attacking figures such as Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo, who would likely thrive under a tactical setup that builds from the back. However, the club has not invested heavily in defensive reinforcements over recent seasons, with Michael Carrick frequently relying on the same defensive back four used during the tenure of Erik ten Hag.
Earlier coverage: Manchester United Reaches Personal Agreement With Pochettino
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