Manchester United officially confirmed on Friday afternoon that Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed as the club’s new men’s first-team head coach, succeeding Michael Carrick. The 54-year-old Argentine will depart his role as manager of the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) to take over at Old Trafford on a contract running until the summer of 2029.
​In an official club statement released around 12:00 PM GMT, Manchester United confirmed that Pochettino will officially take the helm on Wednesday, November 18, following an agreement with the U.S. Soccer Federation for the release of the coach and his staff upon the conclusion of their current international duties.
Club officials highlighted Pochettino’s reputation for a high-intensity, attacking style of football, alongside his dedication to building cohesive teams and developing individual players.
​The managerial shake-up follows a crisis summit held in Monaco on Wednesday, November 11, where Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Chief Executive Officer Omar Berrada, and Director of Football Jason Wilcox decided an immediate change was necessary. United currently sit 18th in the Premier League relegation zone after registering just one victory in their opening 10 league matches, marking their worst start to a top-flight campaign in 40 years.
​The transition began on Thursday morning, November 12, at approximately 8:00 AM GMT, when Carrick arrived at the club’s Carrington training complex in Manchester and was formally relieved of his duties alongside assistant head coach Steve Holland and first-team coaches Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans, and Travis Binnion.
Just over 24 hours later, at 12:04 PM GMT on Friday, November 13, United announced Pochettino’s arrival after reportedly agreeing to pay U.S. Soccer a compensation fee of approximately £7.4 million ($10 million) to buy out the Argentine and his backroom team, which includes assistants Jesus Perez and Miguel D’Agostino, goalkeeping coach Antonio Jimenez, and sports scientist Sebastiano Pochettino.
​Before relocating to England, Pochettino will fulfill his final obligations with the United States in their CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final tie against Haiti. He will lead the squad in the first leg in Miami, Florida, on Saturday, November 14, at 9:30 PM GMT (4:30 PM EST), before overseeing his final match in charge during the second leg in Cincinnati, Ohio, on Tuesday, November 17, at 12:00 AM GMT (7:00 PM EST).
Pochettino is scheduled to fly to Manchester on Wednesday, November 18, to formally assume his duties at Old Trafford, leading his first training session at Carrington on Thursday, November 19, as international players return to the squad. His competitive debut in the dugout will follow days later on Sunday, November 22, at 4:30 PM GMT, when Manchester United travel to Anfield to face arch-rivals Liverpool in the Premier League.
​Addressing his departure via a U.S. Soccer release ahead of a scheduled press conference at 2:15 PM GMT (9:15 AM local time) on Friday, Pochettino expressed gratitude to U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone, CEO JT Batson, and Vice President Dan Helfrich.
Describing the opportunity to represent the USA crest as one of the greatest honors of his career, Pochettino thanked the players for their commitment, the fans for their belief, and the federation for supporting his staff and allowing them to impact soccer culture in the country, adding that the team would always hold a special place in his heart.
​In their Thursday dismissal statement, Manchester United paid tribute to Carrick, noting that the 45-year-old former midfielder, who had guided the club to a third-place Premier League finish after taking over in January 2026, will always remain a club legend whose dedication, professionalism, and achievements last season will be fondly remembered.
Carrick echoed those sentiments in a personal statement posted on social media on Friday morning, stating that leading the club he loves had been an immense privilege and thanking the behind-the-scenes staff before pledging to cheer the team on from the sidelines.
Meanwhile, the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) issued a statement criticising the club’s hierarchy, specifically the Glazer family and INEOS, over repeated leadership changes, though the group pledged its full backing to Pochettino when he steps out at Old Trafford later this month.
