Mauricio Pochettino appears to be on his way out as U.S. mens national team head coach.
Manchester United are expected to part ways with Michael Carrick, and Pochettino has emerged as the clubs chosen candidate to replace him.
Pochettino signed a contract extension with U.S. Soccer in August that runs through the 2030 World Cup, following the USAs run to the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup. But to get him out of that deal, United would only need to trigger a buyout clause reportedly worth nearly $10 million.
Bringing along the assistant coaches who have followed Pochettino from job to job for more than a decade would cost millions more.
If he leaves, U.S. Soccer will need a new coach for the 2030 cycle. Here are the latest updates on Pochettinos future and the top candidates to replace him.
The first step in Pochettino potentially taking over at Old Trafford has been completed.
Michael Carrick was fired by Manchester United on Thursday after overseeing the 20-time English champions worst start to a Premier League season.
Carricks departure comes less than six months after he was given a two-year contract and the responsibility of reviving the fortunes of the once-dominant force of English soccer. United hasnt won the league since managerial great Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
According to ESPN, Manchester United execs have informed U.S. Soccer that they intend to trigger the $10 million (£7m) release clause in Pochettino’s contract.
Pochettino is currently with the USMNT team at U.S. Soccers training center outside of Atlanta before opening their two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal series against Haiti, with the first game set for Saturday in Miami. The second game will be next Tuesday in Cincinnati.Â
Pochettino is expected to remain with the U.S. players for these games regardless of what decision is made about the Man United vacancy.
Several USA players spoke highly about Pochettino after team training on Thursday.
“Poch has definitely raised the standard since he’s been in charge,” striker Folarin Balogun said Thursday, who led the U.S. with three goals in four World Cup appearances, including game-winners over Paraguay and Bosnia and Herzegovina. “The intensity of training, how we approach games â he’s changed our way of thinking as players.
“He’s laid the foundation,” Balogun continued. “I think we have the ownership as players to carry that on.”
Whatever happens with Manchester United, Pochettino is expected to remain on the U.S. sideline for at least two more matches.
Pochettino is in camp with the team at U.S. Soccers National Training Center in Fayetteville, Georgia, preparing for the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals against Haiti on Saturday in Miami and Tuesday in Cincinnati. Hes expected to speak to the media Friday, per his usual pre-match routine.
United have not yet officially fired Carrick or made formal contact with U.S. Soccer about Pochettinos contract. The club has the rest of the international break to finalize a replacement before returning to action at Liverpool on Nov. 22.
