Pochettino ready to take over at Manchester United, and the club will once again have to pay millions
Manchester United’s directors fly to Monaco to push Sir Jim Ratcliffe to sack Michael Carrick, with USA coach Mauricio Pochettino the frontrunner to replace him and a $10 million release fee to pay.
USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino appears to be moving ever closer to the Manchester United job. On Tuesday, British media and bookmakers named the Argentine as the clear favourite for the precarious post should Michael Carrick be sacked.
According to reports, following talks involving directors Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox, the United hierarchy has concluded that a change is necessary. The two are flying to Monaco to meet co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, where they will reportedly argue that Carrick should be dismissed. His departure could be announced as soon as Ratcliffe gives his approval.
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LiverpoolvsManchester United·Nov 22, 2026, 4:30 PM
Once again, the move would prove costly for the Old Trafford club. According to The Athletic, United would have to pay $10 million (around £7.4 million) to the US Soccer Federation to release Pochettino, who signed a new contract after the World Cup and is tied down until 2030. English media report that he is ready to take the job, and he has said in several interviews in recent years that he would like to return to the Premier League.
The former Tottenham, PSG and Chelsea boss is currently at the US national training centre in Fayetteville, Georgia, preparing the team for their CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final against Haiti, with games on Saturday in Miami and the following Tuesday in Cincinnati. He is expected to speak to the media on Friday, as usual the day before a game, but he may well no longer be in the job by then.
If he takes over, Pochettino’s first game would be the derby against Liverpool, United’s first match after the international break. If a deal with the Argentine falls through, the Red Devils’ hierarchy will turn to either Eddie Howe or Julian Nagelsmann.
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