Manchester United Confirm Mauricio Pochettino as Head Coach on Two-and-a-Half-Year Deal

Old Trafford stadium at dusk, Manchester United home ground

Manchester United have confirmed Mauricio Pochettino as their new head coach, ending days of speculation after the sacking of Michael Carrick. The club announced the appointment on Friday, November 13, 2026, with the Argentine signing a two-and-a-half-year contract that runs until June 2029.

Pochettino, 54, will officially take charge on Wednesday, November 18, after completing his final duties with the United States men's national team. His first match in charge will be the Premier League trip to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, November 22.

What happened in short

Manchester United confirmed Mauricio Pochettino as head coach on Friday, November 13, 2026. He signed a two-and-a-half-year deal until June 2029, starts work on November 18 after finishing with the United States national team, and his first game is away at Liverpool on November 22. United reached an agreement with the United States Soccer Federation to release Pochettino and his staff after the national team's two CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final legs against Haiti.

How the deal was agreed

United moved fast after sacking Michael Carrick on Thursday, November 12. The club had already reached a verbal agreement in principle with Pochettino, and the formal announcement followed within a day.

United triggered a release clause worth about $10 million (around 7.4 million pounds) in Pochettino's deal with the United States Soccer Federation. The Press Association reported that Pochettino was the only coach United spoke to directly about succeeding Carrick, and that his appointment has the unanimous endorsement of the club leadership and ownership.

The club's official statement praised Pochettino's "dynamic, attacking approach" and his record of developing individual players. United listed five reasons for his arrival in the announcement, underlining the high-intensity, attacking style he is known for from his time at Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.

When Pochettino starts, and his first games

Pochettino will not arrive at Carrington straight away. He stays with the United States for the two Nations League quarter-final legs against Haiti, on Saturday, November 14, and Tuesday, November 17, before travelling to Manchester.

He officially starts work on Wednesday, November 18. His first match as United head coach is the Premier League clash away to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, November 22, giving him only a few days with the squad before one of the biggest fixtures in English football.

Details of the backroom staff who will join him are due to be confirmed in the coming days. His long-time assistant Jesus Perez is widely expected to be part of the team, though the club has not confirmed the staff list yet.

Mauricio Pochettino on the touchline during a match

Why United turned to Pochettino

United sit third from bottom of the Premier League after their worst start to a campaign since 1986. Carrick, 45, was dismissed after one win in 10 league games left the club on eight points in 18th place, in the relegation zone.

Carrick had been appointed interim head coach on January 13, 2026, replacing Ruben Amorim, and later signed a two-year deal. He departs less than six months after signing it. His final match was the 4-4 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday.

Pochettino becomes the eighth permanent boss since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. He brings experience of rebuilding big clubs and working with young players, and he led the United States to the last 16 of the World Cup on home soil earlier this year.

An emotional goodbye to the United States

Pochettino spoke to United States media on Friday morning, at 9:15 a.m. ET, and was visibly emotional as he thanked US Soccer chief executive JT Batson. "It is one of the most difficult decisions. Thank you guys, thank you so much," he said, crying as he addressed reporters.

In a statement, he added: "The opportunity to represent the USA crest was one of the greatest honours of my career." United's announcement did not include quotes from a club representative, out of respect for the fact that Pochettino remains a United States Soccer employee until the end of this month's national team duties.

US Soccer confirmed that Pochettino will depart his role as head coach of the USMNT to become head coach of Manchester United, and that he and his staff will continue to coach the two upcoming matches against Haiti.

What this means for United

The appointment gives United a proven, high-profile coach at a moment of crisis, but the timing is brutal. Pochettino has only a few training days before Liverpool away, and United are one point behind Nottingham Forest and newly promoted Coventry City in the table.

The two-and-a-half-year contract, running to June 2029, signals that the club wants stability after years of short-term fixes. Whether Pochettino can repeat the rebuilding work he did at Tottenham, where he reached a Champions League final in 2019, will define the next chapter at Old Trafford.

For the United States, the departure comes at an awkward time, with the national team in the middle of a Nations League campaign. US Soccer will now need a new head coach, while Pochettino turns his attention to the task of lifting United out of the relegation zone. For the latest on United's new era, follow our sports coverage as the Liverpool match approaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Mauricio Pochettino start as Manchester United head coach?

Pochettino officially takes charge on Wednesday, November 18, 2026, after finishing his duties with the United States national team in the CONCACAF Nations League quarter-finals against Haiti.

How long is Pochettino's Manchester United contract?

He has signed a two-and-a-half-year contract that runs until June 2029.

What is Pochettino's first game in charge of Manchester United?

His first match is the Premier League trip to Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, November 22, 2026.

Who did Pochettino replace at Manchester United?

He replaces Michael Carrick, who was sacked on Thursday, November 12, 2026, after one win in 10 league games left United 18th in the Premier League.

How much did Manchester United pay to release Pochettino from the United States?

United triggered a release clause worth about $10 million, around 7.4 million pounds, in his deal with the United States Soccer Federation.

Why did Manchester United sack Michael Carrick?

Carrick was dismissed after United's worst start to a Premier League campaign since 1986, with one win in 10 games, eight points and a place in the relegation zone.

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