Manchester United faces a simple choice: stay stuck in the relegation zone or pay the price to fix it. The 54-year-old Mauricio Pochettino has a release clause in his USMNT contract that sits at just $10 million. This figure comes from The Athletic and looks like a bargain for a club valued at $7.2 billion according to reports. Manchester United executives are reviewing Michael Carrick’s future, with a meeting involving minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe scheduled for Wednesday. No final decision has been made, but Carrick is increasingly under pressure. If they pull the trigger, they have the cash to bring Pochettino home to Old Trafford immediately.
The cost of buying out Pochettino is low relative to the value of the job. The Athletic reports the $10 million fee covers his release, though assistant coaches cost several million more. The team’s total bill would remain low despite the additional costs, and the club is the third-most valuable soccer team in the world. Real Madrid leads the pack at $9.5 billion, followed by Barcelona at $7.5 billion. United can stomach this bill without breaking their bank or needing a bailout. The financial gap between the USMNT deal and a Premier League return is massive.
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Pochettino made about $7 million annually with the USMNT. United could provide him with a boatload of money on top of that via a move. One Fox Sports analyst noted the irony of the situation. “Why would he leave the U.S. for something like this? He’s made a lot of money!” they said. But money changes minds. If you throw enough cash at any situation, everybody can be available. United has the funds to make this happen.
The USMNT squad is still focused on their upcoming games against Haiti. Many top players arrived in metro Atlanta on Tuesday, unaware of the rumors until they hit the news. Despite the noise, the team says they will keep working hard. “We’re all very good at just focusing on the next task at hand,” Robinson added.
Young stars like Cavan Sullivan are grateful for Pochettino’s guidance. “Mauricio has taken me under his wing in the most tremendous way possible,” Sullivan told a reporter when asked about the manager. The players love him and do not want the drama to distract them. “Everybody loves him,” Sullivan said. They plan to play for him until told otherwise. This loyalty shows why a sudden exit hurts the program, even if the money is right.
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United cannot wait forever to make a move. The club is staring at an unfathomable drop to the second division if they get relegated. This has not happened at Old Trafford since 1974. Pochettino has already said he wants to return to the European club game. He led Chelsea for one season and has history in England with Southampton and Tottenham. The fit is clear, and the price is right.
The USMNT faces its next test on Saturday in Miami against Haiti. The decisive second leg of the series takes place in Cincinnati on Nov. 17. The winner will advance to the Nations League final four in March. If United moves fast, they can sign Pochettino before the USMNT cycle really gets going. The next USMNT game after the Haiti series is on Dec. 13 against Jamaica.
