Mauricio Pochettino appointed Manchester United head coach

Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed head coach of Manchester United, signing a 2½-year contract and set to take charge on Nov. 18. The 54-year-old Argentine leaves the U.S. national team, where he has been in charge since the fall of 2024, to try to improve United's performance after a poor start to the Premier League season that left the club in the relegation zone after ten games.

Pochettino told reporters that opportunities to lead a club like Manchester United are rare and difficult to decline. United described him as "renowned for his high-intensity, attacking style of football, his dedication to building strong, cohesive teams and his outstanding record of developing individual players."

The appointment follows the dismissal of Michael Carrick, who was removed after United recorded its worst league start in four decades. Pochettino and his staff will remain with the U.S. team for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League quarter-finals against Haiti before moving to Old Trafford.

U.S. Soccer Federation president Cindy Parlow Cone praised Pochettino's work, saying, "What you’ve done with the men’s and the boys program in two years has been unbelievable. Not only have you contributed to their advancement, you’ve contributed to the entire federation being better."

Manchester United will pay a release fee to the U.S. Soccer Federation, with the funds earmarked for coaching and youth-development programs. The club hopes Pochettino can replicate his success at Tottenham, where he guided the team to a Champions League final in 2019, and improve United's standing in domestic and European competitions.