Pochettino ready to take over as Man United manager
Mauricio Pochettino is ready to accept an offer from Manchester United to become the club’s next manager as Michael Carrick’s future at Old Trafford remains uncertain.
Manchester United have opened talks with the Argentine coach about replacing Carrick, who is expected to leave the club within the next 48 hours.
According to BBC Sport on Wednesday, sources close to the situation said Pochettino is interested in taking charge of the Premier League club once Carrick’s future is decided.
However, the former Tottenham and Chelsea manager wants to maintain a good relationship with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). He is therefore expected to wait for Manchester United to make an official offer.
United would reportedly have to pay $10m (£7.5m) to release Pochettino from his contract with the United States national team, which he renewed in August.
The timing could also be a challenge, as the United States are preparing for a two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti over the coming week.
Pochettino, 54, could face a difficult decision if Manchester United make an official offer while he is preparing his team for the matches.
The Argentine has been linked with the Manchester United job three times in the past. He was considered after Jose Mourinho left in 2018, before Erik ten Hag was appointed in 2022, and following Ten Hag’s dismissal in 2024.
Meanwhile, Carrick’s future is expected to be discussed at a meeting in Monaco on Wednesday.
The meeting will involve United chief executive Omar Berrada, director of football Jason Wilcox and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Reports suggest Berrada and Wilcox are expected to recommend that Carrick be relieved of his duties following the club’s poor start to the Premier League season.
United have won only one of their first 10 league matches and currently sit 18th on the table, inside the relegation zone.
This is the club’s worst position at this stage of a top-flight season since the 1986/87 campaign, when they were 20th.
Carrick, 45, was seen arriving at the club’s Carrington training ground on Wednesday as discussions about his future continued.
Pochettino previously managed Southampton and Tottenham in England. He guided Tottenham to the UEFA Champions League final in 2019.
He later managed Paris Saint-Germain before taking charge of Chelsea during the 2023/24 season.
The Argentine became head coach of the United States in September 2024 and led the team to the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
If appointed, Pochettino would finally get the opportunity to manage Manchester United after several previous links with the job.