Manchester United dismisses Michael Carrick, eyes USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino as replacement

Manchester United announced on Thursday that it has ended Michael Carrick's tenure as head coach following a series of disappointing results that left the club in the Premier League relegation zone. The club said it intends to appoint a permanent successor as quickly as possible.

Carrick, who took over on an interim basis in January and was given a two-year contract in May, oversaw only one win in the first ten league matches, the club's worst start in four decades. A club statement read: "After a disappointing start to the season, the club has come to the extremely difficult conclusion that a change is necessary in order to achieve our ambitions."

CNN Sports reports that United has reached a verbal agreement with United States Men’s National Team coach Mauricio Pochettino, though no formal appointment has been confirmed. Talks between the club, Pochettino and US Soccer are expected to continue this week.

Pochettino, an Argentine former player and manager, previously led Tottenham Hotspur to the 2019 UEFA Champions League final and has held managerial positions at Southampton, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea before taking charge of the USMNT in 2024.

The decision marks the seventh permanent head-coach dismissal since Alex Ferguson left the club in 2013. United currently sits 18th in the league table, and the upcoming fixtures include a match against Haiti, which Pochettino is expected to oversee as USMNT coach before any potential move to Old Trafford.