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Mauricio Pochettino is prepared to accept an offer from Manchester United to become their next head coach. United have opened discussions with the Argentine coach regarding a potential move to replace Michael Carrick, who is expected to leave his position within the next 48 hours.
Managerial Talks and US Soccer Plans
Sources have told BBC Sport that the USA manager is keen to take the role once Carrick’s future is officially resolved. Officials with US Soccer anticipate a formal approach from United, and sources told BBC Sport that the federation has already prepared a contingency and succession plan for his possible departure.
The former Tottenham and Chelsea manager intends to remain respectful toward the US Soccer Federation and will wait for United to make their move. Releasing Pochettino from his contract, which he signed only in August, would require Manchester United to pay a $10 million (£7.5 million) fee.
The USA national team faces a two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti in the coming week. With confidence surrounding a succession plan, the possibility is raised that Pochettino might not oversee those upcoming fixtures. US Soccer cancelled a scheduled media session with players, attributing it to a clash with Veterans Day, though some reports suggested the move aimed to prevent the squad from facing questions about their manager’s future.
Decisions in Monaco and United’s Struggles
Pochettino, 54, views the prospect of managing United as a serious opportunity and is expected to accept the position if it is formally offered. United previously held talks with the former Argentina defender about their managerial post on three separate occasions: following Jose Mourinho’s departure in 2018, before appointing Erik ten Hag in 2022, and again after the Dutchman’s dismissal in 2024.
Carrick’s future will be determined during a meeting in Monaco attended by chief executive Omar Berrada, director of football Jason Wilcox, and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe. Berrada and Wilcox traveled to Monaco for a scheduled strategic review, where the primary agenda item centers on Carrick’s future and the club’s next steps. Berrada and Wilcox are expected to recommend that the head coach be removed.
Carrick, 45, arrived at the club’s Carrington training ground for work. Manchester United currently sit 18th in the Premier League table inside the relegation zone, having secured only one victory in their opening 10 matches and none since August. This marks the club’s lowest league position at this stage of a top-flight campaign since the 1986-87 season, when they occupied 20th place.
Previous Coaching Stints
Pochettino began his Premier League managerial career at Southampton in January 2013, prior to a five-year spell with Tottenham starting in 2014 that featured a Champions League final appearance. He subsequently managed Paris St-Germain from January 2021 until July 2022 before spending the 2023-24 season in charge of Chelsea. He transitioned to international management by accepting the USA position in September 2024, guiding the co-hosts to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup.
