FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. – In a significant move for both the coach and the club, Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed as Manchester United’s new head coach. This decision comes as Pochettino agrees to leave his current position with the U.S. national soccer team to take on the formidable task of revitalizing the fortunes of one of football’s most storied franchises.
Just three months after committing to lead the U.S. team through the 2030 World Cup, the U.S. Soccer Federation confirmed that Pochettino will transition to Old Trafford next week. The 20-time English champions currently find themselves in the relegation zone after a disappointing start to the Premier League season, having played ten matches.
Pochettino has signed a 2.5-year contract and will officially take over on November 18, just ahead of a crucial match against Liverpool four days later. This marks his entry as the eighth permanent manager since the legendary Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
The Argentine coach, 54, is known for his high-intensity, attacking style of play and his commitment to building cohesive teams. His impressive track record of developing players has been acknowledged by United, who hope to see a turnaround in their fortunes under his leadership.
Pochettino’s hiring comes right on the heels of Michael Carrick’s dismissal after overseeing United’s worst league start in 40 years. With the club languishing in 18th place, there is an urgent need for change and revitalization.
Prior to his move, Pochettino will remain with the U.S. team to guide them through the CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals against Haiti. Reflecting on his time with the U.S. team, he expressed optimism about the talent within the player pool, stating, “There is tremendous talent in the U.S. player pool from the youth teams through to the senior team, and it’s one of the reasons we have so much belief for the future of U.S. Soccer.”
Pochettino took over the U.S. team in the fall of 2024 and successfully led the co-hosts to the round of 16 at the recent World Cup. In the wake of his departure, the U.S. Soccer Federation is expected to consider various candidates for the national team role, including Pep Guardiola and Under-23 coach Steve Cherundolo, who will oversee a senior training camp next month.
USSF CEO JT Batson highlighted Pochettino’s impact, noting, “Mauricio has left a lasting mark on U.S. Soccer through his leadership, professionalism, and commitment to our players and culture.” Batson emphasized that Pochettino’s legacy extends beyond victories, as he raised standards and strengthened the culture within U.S. Soccer.
Pochettino’s coaching career has seen him at the helm of several clubs, including Southampton, Tottenham, and Chelsea in the Premier League, as well as Espanyol in Spain and Paris Saint-Germain, where he won the French title. However, he now faces the daunting challenge of restoring Manchester United to its former glory, a task that has proven difficult for many coaches since Ferguson’s era.
Since Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, United has not lifted the Premier League trophy, falling behind rivals such as Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal. Coaches like Louis van Gaal and Jose Mourinho, both of whom have won Champions League titles, also struggled to meet the club’s expectations.
Despite his past successes, including turning Tottenham into a title contender and reaching the Champions League final in 2019, Pochettino has yet to win a major trophy in England. His most recent endeavor ended with a loss in the final of the English League Cup while managing Chelsea in 2024.
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Robson reported from Manchester, England, and Blum from New York.
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James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson
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