Manchester United Advances Pochettino Talks

Manchester United is preparing to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as its next head coach, according to a source familiar with the discussions. The move would see the 54-year-old Argentine leave his role managing the United States men's national team, despite having a contract that runs through the 2030 World Cup. United currently sits in 18th place in the Premier League after ten matchdays, marking its worst start in the modern era.

The club is treating the potential appointment as a matter of due diligence. A person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that preparations were underway even though no final decision has been made regarding the future of current manager Michael Carrick. Carrick remains under pressure following a poor run of form, though he stated on Sunday that he would not resign from his position. He was scheduled to lead training on Wednesday despite the growing speculation surrounding his job security.

Pochettino has extensive experience in English football, having previously managed Southampton, Tottenham, and Chelsea. He took charge of the U.S. team in October 2024 and guided the squad to the round of 16 at the recent World Cup. His reputation was cemented during his tenure at Tottenham, where he elevated the club to regular contention for top honors and a Champions League final appearance in 2019. Although he won the French league title with Paris Saint-Germain in 2022, he has yet to secure a major trophy in England, most recently suffering a defeat in the 2024 League Cup final with Chelsea.

Pochettino was a leading candidate for the Manchester United job in 2022 before Erik ten Hag was selected. In recent weeks, other names have surfaced in connection with the vacancy, including Julian Nagelsmann, Eddie Howe, and Antonio Conte. It is standard practice for clubs to assess multiple candidates and contact intermediaries before making a final call on a managerial change. United had previously opted to retain Carrick last month, giving him time to reverse a difficult start to the season.

The latest results have intensified the scrutiny on Carrick. A 4-4 draw with Aston Villa on Sunday left the 20-time English champion in the relegation zone with only one victory from ten matches. The team's performance has fallen short of expectations, prompting the ownership group to explore potential replacements. The decision to move forward with Pochettino would represent a major shift, as he would balance his international duties with the demands of managing one of Europe's biggest clubs.