In Summary: The club reached an agreement with the United States Soccer Federation to release him and his technical staff after their national-team commitments. Pochettino returns to the Premier League after spells at Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea, and will be tasked with rescuing United from a difficult start to the season.
MANCHESTER, England — Manchester United have confirmed the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as their new men’s first-team head coach, replacing Michael Carrick, who left the club on Thursday.
In a statement published via the official website on Friday, November 13, the club said Pochettino had agreed to take charge from November 18, following an agreement with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) for the Argentine and his technical staff to be released after completing their responsibilities with the US men’s national team.
The announcement brings an end to speculation over United’s search for a successor to Carrick, who was dismissed after a poor start to the 2026/27 campaign.
United described Pochettino as a coach renowned for his high-intensity, attacking football, ability to build cohesive teams and record of developing individual players.
The 54-year-old began his managerial career at Espanyol in 2009 before moving to Southampton, where he guided the club to a then-record Premier League points tally in 2014.
He subsequently took charge of Tottenham Hotspur, spending five full seasons at the North London club. During that period, he established Spurs as regular UEFA Champions League contenders, secured qualification for the competition in four consecutive seasons and led them to their first final in 2019, where they lost to Liverpool.
Pochettino later managed Paris Saint-Germain, winning Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the Trophée des Champions, before joining Chelsea in 2023.
Most recently, he was in charge of the US men’s national team, which reached the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup.
His departure from the United States follows an agreement between the two football organisations, allowing him and his staff to complete their international responsibilities before beginning work at Old Trafford.
Pochettino’s first assignment is expected to be a Premier League trip to Liverpool at Anfield on November 22, giving him only a few days to work with the squad before the high-profile fixture.
The Argentine inherits a United side struggling in the league. The club’s decision to part ways with Carrick followed a run that left them 18th in the Premier League after collecting just one victory in their opening 10 matches.
Carrick had rejoined United in January 2026 and guided the team to third place in the 2025/26 Premier League season, winning 12 of the remaining 17 matches and securing Champions League qualification.
However, the club said a disappointing start to the new campaign had forced it to conclude that a change was necessary to achieve its ambitions.
Pochettino now becomes the latest manager tasked with restoring consistency and competitiveness at Old Trafford, more than a decade after Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure.
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