Mauricio Pochettino was named Manchester United’s new manager on Friday, tasked with reviving the struggling giants following the dismissal of Michael Carrick.
The Red Devils issued a statement saying the USA coach, who has extensive experience in the Premier League, would take charge from November 18 following two matches against Haiti.
Advertisement
The 54-year-old is understood to have signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at Old Trafford, taking him through to the end of the 2028/29 season.
“The club has reached an agreement with the US soccer federation for Mauricio and his staff to be released after the conclusion of their responsibilities with the US men’s national team,” United said.
“The Argentinian is renowned for his high-intensity, attacking style of football, his dedication to building strong, cohesive teams and his outstanding record of developing individual players.
“Pochettino has consistently performed at the highest level of football across multiple leagues.”
Advertisement
Pochettino, who led the United States to the last-16 of the World Cup on home soil earlier this year, said in a statement released by US Soccer that the job with the national team had been “one of the greatest honours of my career”.
“We are so grateful to the players for their commitment, to the fans for their belief, and to the federation for always supporting our staff and creating the opportunities to impact the culture of soccer in this great country,” he added.
US Soccer CEO and secretary general JT Batson said Pochettino had left a lasting mark on football in the United States through his “leadership, professionalism and commitment to our players and culture”.
The federation is reportedly set to receive $10 million in compensation for him, plus a further $2 million for the departure of his coaching staff.
Advertisement
Pochettino has previously managed Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea in England, and also coached Paris Saint-Germain.
He never finished lower than fifth in the Premier League during his five seasons at Tottenham.
But despite his relative success at Spurs, Pochettino failed to win silverware and was dismissed in November 2019 — just months after the north London club lost to Liverpool in the Champions League final.
He claimed the first trophies of his managerial career with PSG, collecting the 2021 French Cup and 2022 Ligue 1 title, but did not see out his contract.
Pochettino returned to the dugout at Chelsea in 2023 but lasted a single season, reaching the FA Cup semi-finals and losing in the League Cup final.
Advertisement
– United slide –
Pochettino, who has been linked with the United job on several previous occasions, has a huge task to revive the 20-time English champions, who have endured their worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign.
The Red Devils, next in action at the home of fierce rivals Liverpool on November 22, are in the relegation zone after winning just one of their 10 league matches so far.
Pochettino faces the daunting task of uniting a deeply divided club on and off the pitch.
United captain Bruno Fernandes was dropped last month after he criticised Carrick’s tactics following a 4-1 Champions League humbling by Como.
Advertisement
Defender Lisandro Martinez took a public swipe at the United hierarchy for not doing more to strengthen the squad in the summer transfer window.
One early issue for Pochettino to wrestle with could be the future of Portugal international Fernandes, who is understood to have rejected a second contract offer.
United have an option to extend his deal to the end of the 2027/2028 season, meaning he would not be free to talk to other clubs in January.
Angry fans vented their frustration at the club’s ownership following the sacking of Carrick.
Despite fierce and persistent protests over two decades, the US-based Glazer family still hold a majority stake in the club, which Malcolm Glazer bought via a leveraged takeover in 2005, saddling United with huge debts.
Any hopes the arrival of British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe as a minority owner in 2024 would signal a new dawn have since faded.
jw/jdg/pi
