- Manchester United have confirmed Mauricio Pochettino as their new men’s first-team head coach.
- The Argentine is expected to take up his position on November 18 under a contract running until 2029.
- He replaces Michael Carrick, who was dismissed after a difficult start to the 2026/27 campaign.
- Pochettino will first complete his remaining commitments with the United States national team against Haiti.
- His first match is expected to be against Liverpool at Anfield on November 22.
- United are 18th in the Premier League table and face an immediate battle to move away from the relegation zone.
Manchester United have appointed Mauricio Pochettino to lead their first-team squad, handing the Argentine manager the responsibility of reviving a struggling side in the Premier League.
The club confirmed the agreement on Friday, November 13, following Michael Carrick’s departure earlier in the week. Pochettino is expected to begin work at Old Trafford on November 18, with his contract running until the summer of 2029. The appointment brings an experienced Premier League coach back to English football after his spell in charge of the United States men’s national team.
Manchester United also reached an agreement with the United States Soccer Federation to release Pochettino and his coaching staff after their remaining international assignments. Reports put the compensation for activating his release clause at approximately $10 million, equivalent to around £7.4 million.
United Face Immediate Premier League Survival Battle
Pochettino arrives at a difficult moment for the Manchester club. United are sitting 18th in the Premier League standings, one point away from safety, after a disappointing opening to the season. The pressure will be on the new manager to improve results quickly and move the team out of the relegation places.
His appointment followed Carrick’s dismissal on Thursday, November 12. Carrick had taken charge in January after Ruben Amorim’s exit and was initially appointed on an interim basis. He subsequently earned a longer contract in May after guiding United to third place in the previous campaign, but the team’s struggles this season ended his spell at the club.
Pochettino becomes United’s third manager of the year, highlighting the continued changes in the club’s technical leadership. He will now be expected to provide greater stability while improving performances and restoring confidence among supporters.
Before reporting to Manchester, Pochettino will complete his final assignments with the United States national team. The US Soccer Federation confirmed that he and his coaching staff will oversee the two Concacaf Nations League quarter-final matches against Haiti on November 14 and 17 before leaving their positions.
The Argentine is expected to arrive in Manchester on November 18, with most of the senior players due back at the club the following day after the international break. That will leave him with limited time to work with the squad before his first competitive fixture.
United’s trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on November 22 is expected to be his first match in charge. The encounter will provide an immediate test of his ability to organise the team and begin the task of climbing the league table.
Pochettino is expected to receive backing in the January transfer window as United look to address weaknesses within the squad. Defensive reinforcements and an additional striker are among the positions reportedly under consideration.
The club’s defensive problems and injury setbacks have contributed to its difficult campaign. Slovenia international Benjamin Sesko is among the players affected, with the supplied report stating that he is expected to remain unavailable until the New Year because of a shin problem.
Pochettino will therefore have to assess the available players before deciding where reinforcements are most urgently needed. His early results, tactical approach and decisions in the transfer market will be closely watched as United attempt to recover from their poor start.
