Manchester United dismiss Michael Carrick, appoint Mauricio Pochettino as successor

Manchester United have dismissed Michael Carrick as head coach while the club sits in the Premier League relegation zone and have moved toward appointing Mauricio Pochettino as his replacement. Pochettino, who left Chelsea in May 2024 and later became the United States head coach, has a framework agreement that includes a release clause of roughly $10 million (£7.5 million) and a requirement for United to compensate his staff.

The decision follows a review led by director of football Jason Wilcox and a recommendation to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who oversees sporting policy. Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada met Ratcliffe in Monaco before the board, which includes the Glazer family, approved the termination.

"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. Michael is, and always will be, a Manchester United legend. Just as he did as a player, he has conducted himself with the highest standards of dedication and professionalism throughout his time back with the club. His leadership and achievements last season will always be fondly remembered," United said.

Carrick, appointed in May on a contract to 2028 after an interim spell that secured Champions League qualification, recorded 12 wins and three draws in 17 games last season but managed only three victories across all competitions this season. United consider a position near the bottom of the league unacceptable and believe a new coach could extract more from the squad.

The club had previously considered Eddie Howe and Julian Nagelsmann for the role, but Pochettino emerged as the preferred candidate. Carrick becomes the second United head coach dismissed in a calendar year, following Ruben Amorim's departure in January, marking a rare double firing for the club since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement in 2013.