USA boss Mauricio Pochettino has a verbal agreement in place to replace Michael Carrick at Manchester United.
Manchester United have reached a verbal agreement in principle with Mauricio Pochettino to become their next head coach, with the Argentine expected to replace Michael Carrick before the end of the week.
According to Sky Sports, Carrick remains officially in charge and took Wednesday’s training session, but his departure is now increasingly likely. United have identified Pochettino as the successor and are working towards finalising the remaining details of his appointment.
When will Mauricio Pochettino take charge at Manchester United?
The 54-year-old is currently managing the United States national team and is expected to remain in charge for their two fixtures against Haiti during the ongoing international break. United are comfortable with that arrangement and are preparing to accelerate discussions with US Soccer over the next 24 hours.
The Premier League club are keen to bring Pochettino to Old Trafford as soon as possible but are also mindful of his international commitments. They must resolve a reported £7 million buyout with US Soccer and agree terms for his backroom staff before completing the appointment.
The majority of United’s players are expected to return to training by next Thursday, ahead of their trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on November 22. The club will be hoping to have their new manager in place by then.
Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox met co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco on Wednesday to discuss the team’s disappointing start to the campaign.
Carrick had previously been given more time following a 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth, but the subsequent results against Chelsea, AS Roma and Aston Villa have failed to change the hierarchy’s thinking.
Manchester United have been interested in Pochettino for years
Pochettino has been a long-standing target for United, having been considered for the job on three separate occasions. He came particularly close in 2022, before the club eventually appointed Erik ten Hag.
The former Tottenham manager’s work in North London remains a major part of his appeal. He transformed Spurs into consistent challengers for major honours and guided them to the Champions League final.
His time at Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea didn’t go as planned, but his Premier League experience and ability to manage elite players make him an attractive candidate.
Pochettino is content with his current role with the United States, but the report suggests the opportunity to manage Manchester United is too significant to turn down. He is also keen to return to English football two years after leaving Chelsea.
If the appointment goes through, Pochettino will become United’s eighth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, with the club hoping he can finally bring greater stability to the dugout.