Manchester United to Appoint Pochettino After Sacking Carrick Amid Relegation Crisis

Key points

• Michael Carrick was fired by Manchester United on Thursday after the club won only one of its first ten Premier League matches, placing them in 18th place and in the relegation zone for the first time in 40 years.
• Mauricio Pochettino is expected to sign a two-and-a-half-year contract with Manchester United, running through the 2028-29 season, according to The Athletic.
• United is expected to pay approximately $10 million to trigger Pochettino’s release clause from his contract with the US men’s national team, with US Soccer having already given its approval, per Fabrizio Romano.
• Pochettino is expected to manage the US team in its Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal matches against Haiti on Saturday and Tuesday before officially taking charge at Old Trafford.
• The Glazer family, who remain majority owners of Manchester United, reportedly spearheaded the pursuit of Pochettino, overriding other candidates like Eddie Howe, according to talkSPORT.

Background

Manchester United has faced significant instability since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, with seven permanent managerial changes in that period. The club’s current crisis follows a disastrous start to the 2026-27 season, with the team sitting in the relegation zone for the first time since 1986-87. Previous attempts to stabilize the club under Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ownership, including the appointments of Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim, have failed to yield the desired results. Pochettino, who previously managed Chelsea and Tottenham, is seen as a potential solution to the club’s ongoing struggles, though his recent tenure at Chelsea raised questions about his ability to manage a squad with significant financial investment.

How outlets are covering it

The Athletic and Fabrizio Romano emphasize the imminent nature of Pochettino’s appointment, highlighting the 2.5-year contract and the $10 million release clause. The Guardian provides a critical analysis of Pochettino’s recent performance at Chelsea, questioning whether his methods are relevant to Manchester United’s current needs, while acknowledging his elite status in the Premier League. CNN focuses on the broader context of Manchester United’s mismanagement, criticizing the handling of Carrick’s dismissal and the club’s toxic culture, while also noting Pochettino’s potential to turn the club around. talkSPORT highlights the Glazer family’s role in pushing for Pochettino, suggesting that the Glazers intervened to make him the top priority over other candidates like Eddie Howe.

Why it matters

The appointment of Pochettino marks a critical turning point for Manchester United, a club that has struggled to find stability since the departure of Sir Alex Ferguson. The move reflects the urgency of the club’s situation, with the team in the relegation zone and facing a potential crisis in its management structure. Pochettino’s experience and reputation as an elite manager offer hope for a turnaround, but the challenges he faces, including a fragile squad and a toxic club culture, are significant. The decision also highlights the ongoing tensions between the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s sporting structure, with the Glazers reportedly playing a key role in the appointment. For the Premier League, the move underscores the importance of managerial stability and the impact of ownership decisions on a club’s performance.

What to watch

Pochettino is expected to manage the US men’s national team in its Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal matches against Haiti on Saturday and Tuesday before officially taking charge at Manchester United. The club is expected to make an official announcement of his appointment as early as Friday, per The Athletic. Pochettino will face the challenge of turning around Manchester United’s season, with the team’s next Premier League match against Liverpool scheduled for November 22. The club’s hierarchy, including Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Omar Berrada, and Jason Wilcox, will need to support Pochettino in his efforts to stabilize the team and address the club’s cultural issues.