Mauricio Pochettino appointed Manchester United head coach, to start on November 18

Manchester United confirmed on Friday, November 13, that Mauricio Pochettino will replace Michael Carrick as the club's men’s first-team head coach and will begin the role on November 18. The club said Pochettino will depart his position with the United States national team and join with his training staff.

Pochettino is currently the head coach of the United States men's national team and the club issued two statements outlining the timing of his arrival. "Mauricio Pochettino has agreed to become the Manchester United men’s head coach from 18 November." "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," read the statement.

Michael Carrick was dismissed on Thursday after six months in the full-time head coach role following a period as interim boss. United’s form this season has been poor: the club sit 18th after 10 league games, have won one league match and have conceded 30 goals across all competitions.

British media reported that United triggered a seven million pound release clause in Pochettino’s contract with U.S. Soccer to secure his services. The club has allowed Pochettino to remain with the U.S. team for their matches against Haiti and he is expected to join Manchester United on Thursday next week.

Pochettino has been linked with the Manchester United job on multiple previous occasions, with media reports connecting him to the role in 2016, 2019 and 2024. He first established his managerial reputation in England with Southampton, then led Tottenham Hotspur to the 2019 UEFA Champions League final while the club was competing among England’s top sides.

His later spells at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea did not produce sustained success, and he accepted the United States job in 2024, succeeding Gregg Berhalter after the Americans’ early exit from the Copa America. During his time with the U.S. national side he recorded 21 victories in 35 matches.

Pochettino began his coaching career at Espanyol, where he also spent a decade as a player across two separate spells, before moving to England to take charge of Southampton in 2013. With this appointment he becomes the eighth manager Manchester United have employed since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Pochettino's first match in charge will come after the upcoming international break, when he will take his new side to Anfield to face Liverpool.