Manchester, England — Manchester United have appointed Mauricio Pochettino as head coach on a contract running until 2029, handing the Argentine the task of hauling one of world football’s biggest clubs out of the Premier League relegation zone. The 54-year-old will finish his duties with the United States men’s national team first, leading them in two Nations League quarter-finals against Haiti, before taking charge at Old Trafford next Wednesday. United confirmed the agreement with the US Soccer Federation on Friday.

Key Points

• Manchester United appointed Mauricio Pochettino head coach on Friday, a day after sacking Michael Carrick, on a deal until 2029.
• Pochettino will lead the US team against Haiti on 14 November in Miami and 17 November in Cincinnati before joining United.
• United are 18th in the Premier League with one win and eight points from 10 games, their worst start in four decades.
• British media report United will pay about £7.4 million (about $10 million) to buy out his US Soccer deal, signed in August 2026 until the 2030 World Cup.
• Pochettino won 21 of 35 games as US coach, taking the World Cup co-hosts to the last 16.

What Happened

Manchester United announced the appointment on Friday, a day after Carrick was sacked following a miserable start to the season. “The club has reached an agreement with the US Soccer Federation for Mauricio and his staff to be released after the conclusion of their responsibilities with the US Men’s National Team,” United said in a statement. Pochettino was the clear favourite from the moment the job became vacant.

Pochettino will stay with the United States for the Haiti double-header and takes charge at Old Trafford next Wednesday. His first match is away at Liverpool on Sunday, 22 November, one of English football’s fiercest fixtures and a daunting first test for a manager walking into a club in crisis.

Background and Context

Carrick became caretaker in January 2026 after Ruben Amorim was sacked, and earned the job permanently by guiding United to third place and a Champions League berth. That promise evaporated this autumn. His final weeks brought a humiliating 3-0 home defeat by Bournemouth, then a 4-4 home draw with Aston Villa rescued by two stoppage-time goals. Carrick had insisted after the Villa draw that he would not walk away, but the board decided otherwise.

United have won one of their first 10 league matches and sit 18th, one point above bottom side Crystal Palace, on an eight-game winless run that equals the club’s worst-ever sequence. They have won only three of 15 matches in all competitions this season. A relegation fight in November is almost unthinkable for a club of United’s size.

Mauricio Pochettino’s Road Back to the Premier League

Pochettino, a former Argentina centre-back who made more than 200 appearances for Espanyol, built his reputation on young, high-energy teams. Taking charge of Espanyol in January 2009, when they were third from bottom, he lifted them to 10th in LaLiga and earned a reputation for trusting academy players.

He arrived in England with Southampton in January 2013, guiding them to eighth the next season, their joint-highest Premier League finish. At Tottenham from 2014 he turned Spurs into regular top-four contenders, developing Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Eric Dier, and reached a first Champions League final in 2019, losing 2-0 to Liverpool. A 7-2 home defeat by Bayern Munich led to his sacking months later.

Spells at Paris Saint-Germain, where he won Ligue 1, and at Chelsea produced mixed results. He took over the United States in September 2024, reaching the Nations League semi-finals, the 2025 Gold Cup final and the last 16 of the home World Cup. In August 2026 he signed a new US deal until 2030, which United have now bought out.

Reactions and Quotes

Pochettino paid tribute to his two years with the United States in a statement released on Friday. “The opportunity to represent the USA crest was one of the greatest honours of my career,” he said. “We are so grateful to the players for their commitment, to the fans for their belief, and to the Federation for always supporting our staff and creating opportunities to impact the culture of soccer in this great country.”

He added: “There is tremendous talent in the U.S. player pool, and it’s one of the reasons we have so much belief for the future of U.S. Soccer.” US Soccer said under-23 coach Steve Cherundolo will take the December camp while the federation searches for a permanent successor.

Why It Matters

For United, this is about far more than a new face on the touchline. The club have cycled through managers since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, and Pochettino is the first to arrive with a proven record of rebuilding a Premier League club from the ground up, improving young players and imposing a clear, high-pressing identity. He inherits a squad assembled at considerable expense but lacking confidence and identity. If he repeats the Tottenham transformation, the relegation-zone start could become a footnote.

For American soccer, the timing is awkward. The United States have just hosted a World Cup and must now find a new head coach with the next cycle already under way. His departure underlines how quickly the pull of a giant European club can change a federation’s plans.

What Happens Next

Pochettino’s immediate focus is Haiti: the Nations League quarter-final first leg in Miami on Saturday, 14 November, and the return in Cincinnati on Tuesday, 17 November. He takes charge at United on Wednesday, with four days to prepare for the trip to Anfield on Sunday, 22 November, before the January window gives him his first chance to reshape the squad.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Pochettino start at Manchester United?
He takes charge next Wednesday, after the Haiti games on 14 and 17 November. His first match is away at Liverpool on 22 November.

How long is his Manchester United contract?
His deal runs until 2029. United agreed with US Soccer to release him from a contract that ran until the 2030 World Cup.

How much did United pay to release him?
British media reported about £7.4 million, roughly $10 million, to buy out the US deal he signed in August 2026.

Who takes over the US men’s national team?
Under-23 coach Steve Cherundolo takes the December camp. No permanent successor has been named.

Why was Michael Carrick sacked?
United won one of their first 10 league games and sit 18th, on an eight-game winless run equalling the club’s worst.