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Mauricio Pochettino Named Manchester United Head Coach on Deal Until 2029

Trending Now • 14 November 2026 • 4 min read

Mauricio Pochettino applauding supporters from the touchline during the United States v Australia match at the 2026 World Cup

Photo: Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons — Mauricio Pochettino on the touchline during United States v Australia at the 2026 World Cup.

TL;DR — the direct answer: Manchester United have appointed Mauricio Pochettino as their new head coach on a two-and-a-half-year deal running until the summer of 2029. The 54-year-old Argentine leaves the United States men's national team, which he led to the last 16 of the World Cup on home soil this summer, and will start at Old Trafford on Wednesday, 18 November. He replaces Michael Carrick, sacked on Thursday after the club's worst start to a season since 1986 left United third-bottom of the Premier League.

What happened: United confirmed the appointment on Friday, 13 November, a day after sacking Carrick. The club said it had reached an agreement with the US Soccer Federation for Pochettino and his staff to be released after the United States' two Concacaf Nations League quarter-final matches against Haiti, on Saturday and next Tuesday. Pochettino will meet his new players and take training for the first time on Thursday, 19 November, and his first match in charge will be against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, 22 November. United paid around £7.4 million — $10 million — to buy Pochettino out of his newly signed contract with the USA, with additional payments made for his staff members. The deal runs until the summer of 2029.

Why it's trending: This is the biggest managerial appointment in English football this season, and it comes with United in genuine trouble. The club sit 18th in the Premier League and in the relegation zone with one win from 10 games — their worst domestic start in 40 years — after a run of eight winless league matches under Carrick. Pochettino is also one of the most recognisable names in the game, a former Tottenham and Chelsea manager returning to the Premier League, and the circumstances are extraordinary: he had only signed a new contract to stay with the USMNT until the 2030 World Cup in August, and he broke down in tears at his final pre-match press conference, calling leaving the USA 'the toughest decision of my career'.

Background / context: Carrick was sacked on Thursday after a meeting between United chiefs in Monaco, where chief executive Omar Berrada, technical director Jason Wilcox and owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe finalised the next steps. Carrick had been in charge since January 2026. Pochettino was the unanimous choice recommended by the club's hierarchy and approved by the ownership, and he was the only coach United spoke to directly as a potential successor. The 54-year-old previously managed Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea in the Premier League before taking the USA job in 2024, and he took the Americans to the last 16 of this summer's home World Cup. United's announcement carried no quotes from a club representative, out of respect for the fact that Pochettino remains a US Soccer employee until his national team duties end.

What we know / what's unconfirmed: Confirmed: the appointment, the deal length to the summer of 2029, the 18 November start date, the £7.4 million release clause, the first match against Liverpool on 22 November, and Carrick's sacking after the club's worst start since 1986. Unconfirmed: who will join Pochettino's coaching staff at United — the club said details will be confirmed in the coming days — and the exact shape of his backroom team. Also unconfirmed is who replaces him with the USA: US Soccer will lead the search for a permanent successor, with former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola understood to be top of the federation's wanted list.

What happens next: Pochettino stays with the USA for the two Haiti fixtures, then moves to Manchester. His first week is a brutal introduction: training on Thursday, then a trip to Anfield on Sunday to face Liverpool in one of English football's biggest fixtures. After that comes the task of lifting a side that has won once in 10 league games out of the relegation zone, with the January transfer window not far away. He is expected to address the media as United head coach for the first time towards the end of next week. For the USA, the search for a permanent successor begins immediately, with an interim expected to take charge of the next international window.

Frequently asked questions

Q: When does Mauricio Pochettino start at Manchester United?
A: On Wednesday, 18 November, after he finishes the USA's two Concacaf Nations League quarter-final matches against Haiti. He takes training for the first time on Thursday, 19 November.

Q: How long is Pochettino's contract?
A: Two and a half years, running until the summer of 2029. He signed the deal after United agreed his release from the United States national team.

Q: How much did United pay to get him?
A: Around £7.4 million ($10 million) to trigger the release clause in his newly signed contract with US Soccer, plus additional payments for his staff members.

Q: Who did Pochettino replace?
A: Michael Carrick, who was sacked on Thursday after overseeing the club's worst start to a season since 1986. United were 18th in the Premier League with one win from 10 games.

Q: When is Pochettino's first match in charge?
A: Against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, 22 November, live on Sky Sports. It is his first game back in the Premier League since leaving Chelsea in 2024.

Sources: Sky Sports — Mauricio Pochettino appointed as Manchester United head coach after Michael Carrick's sacking at Old Trafford, DAZN — Manchester United confirm Mauricio Pochettino will be new head coach, and Times Now — Mauricio Pochettino Named Manchester United Head Coach Until 2029.

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