LONDON (The Thursday Times) — Manchester United have reached an agreement in principle with Mauricio Pochettino to become their head coach, while Michael Carrick remains in charge for now.
The Argentine, who coaches the United States, is ready to accept the job once it is formally offered, after United opened talks with him this week. Carrick remained in charge on Wednesday evening while United’s leadership settled his future.
Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox met co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco on Wednesday and were expected to recommend that Carrick go. A board meeting, with the majority-owning Glazer family represented, was set to ratify the decision before any announcement.
A $10m release clause
Pochettino signed a new contract with US Soccer in August that runs to 2030, but it includes a release clause of about $10m (£7.5m). United’s bill would be higher if he brings his own staff, including Jesús Pérez, his assistant of 16 years.
US Soccer is expecting a formal approach from United and has a succession plan ready if Pochettino leaves. The United States play Haiti in a two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final, in Miami on Saturday and Cincinnati next Wednesday, and it is unclear whether Pochettino will be on the bench for either game.
The federation cancelled planned player media sessions on Wednesday, citing Veterans Day.
A long courtship
United have considered Pochettino three times before: after José Mourinho was sacked in 2018, in 2022 before Erik ten Hag was appointed, and again when Ten Hag left in 2024. He would be the club’s fourth permanent manager in three seasons.
Carrick, 45, has won one of United’s first 10 Premier League games, and none since August. The club are 18th, their lowest position at this stage of a top-flight season since 1986-87.
Pochettino, 54, managed Southampton, Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea before taking the US job, and led the co-hosts to the last 16 of this year’s World Cup.
