U.S. men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino is nearing a deal to replace Michael Carrick at Manchester United, multiple outlets reported.
The club made formal contact with U.S. Soccer on Wednesday regarding Pochettino, who guided Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea before taking the USMNT position in 2024. He led the Americans to the Round of 16 at this summer’s FIFA World Cup in North America.
Manchester United would owe U.S. Soccer about $12 million if it hires Pochettino, who has a $10 million release clause in his contract. The additional $2 million would cover the assistant coaches who have been with him for years, ESPN reported.
U.S. Soccer announced in August that Pochettino, 54, had agreed to stay through another World Cup cycle in 2030.
In September, Sky Sports News asked Pochettino about eventually returning to England’s Premier League.
“My dream now is to be in the USA for four years, but after that, why not?” Pochettino said. “We are still young, and I think coming back is always my goal; to win the Premier League, to be in the Premier League and to build a project with the possibility of winning.
“I love the football here. I think to have the chance again is one of my wishes and I hope that happens.”
Carrick was sacked on Thursday after Manchester United won just one of its first 10 Premier League matches this season, the worst start in club history.
Carrick guided his former team to a third-place finish and Champions League qualification last season. He leaves Old Trafford less than six months after signing a two-year contract.
Manchester United is currently in the relegation zone with one win, five draws and four losses. The Premier League is currently on an international break until Nov. 21.
Pochettino still is expected to coach the U.S. in two upcoming Concacaf Nations League matches against Haiti in Miami on Saturday and in Cincinnati on Tuesday, per reports.
–Field Level Media
