Manchester United have reached an agreement with Mauricio Pochettino to become their new head coach, replacing Michael Carrick, who the club dismissed on Thursday, November 12, 2026.
The Argentine has agreed to a two-and-a-half-year contract that will keep him at Old Trafford until the summer of 2029.
United are reportedly prepared to pay approximately £7 million to activate a release clause in Pochettino’s contract with the United States Soccer Federation, where he currently manages the men’s national team.
The 54-year-old will remain in charge of the Americans for their two CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final matches against Haiti before travelling to England to begin his new assignment.
According to reports, Pochettino is expected to arrive in Manchester on Wednesday, November 18, and conduct his first training session at Carrington the following day.
His first match in charge will be a Premier League encounter against Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, November 22.
The appointment brings an end to United’s latest managerial search after the club parted ways with Carrick following a disappointing start to the 2026/27 campaign.
United will have to compensate US Soccer to release Pochettino from his existing agreement.
The reported £7 million buyout clause formed part of the contract he signed with the American federation, which extended his stay through the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The total compensation could exceed £10 million once payments for members of his coaching staff are included, although the precise figure has not been officially confirmed.
Pochettino is also expected to bring several trusted members of his backroom team to Old Trafford, including assistant coach Jesús Pérez, first-team assistant Miguel D’Agostino, goalkeeping coach Toni Jiménez and sports scientist Sebastiano Pochettino.
Their arrival will follow the departure of several members of Carrick’s coaching staff. Steve Holland, Jonathan Woodgate, Jonny Evans, Travis Binnion and goalkeeping coach Craig Mawson have all left the club following Carrick’s dismissal.
Assistant first-team goalkeeping coach Connor King is reportedly the only member of the previous setup who remains.
United’s interest in Pochettino dates back several years, with the club previously considering him for the managerial position before appointing other candidates.
The club held discussions with the Argentine in 2024 after his departure from Chelsea but eventually decided to retain Erik ten Hag.
Chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox reportedly led the latest recruitment process. The pair travelled to Monaco on Wednesday to meet co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and review the club’s disappointing start to the season.
The discussions resulted in a decision to end Carrick’s tenure and pursue Pochettino, who had emerged as the preferred candidate.
Sky Sports reported that United had also considered Aston Villa manager Unai Emery, but his contractual situation made a move difficult.
Pochettino will inherit a team under pressure to improve its league position and restore confidence among supporters.
The former Tottenham Hotspur manager brings considerable Premier League experience, having also coached Southampton and Chelsea.
His most notable achievement in England came at Tottenham, where he guided the club to the 2019 UEFA Champions League final and established it as a regular contender for European qualification.
He also managed Paris Saint-Germain, winning the French Ligue 1 title and the Coupe de France.
His coaching approach relies on high-intensity pressing, quick transitions and developing young players.
However, he will have limited time to assess United’s squad before facing Liverpool.
After the Anfield fixture, United are scheduled to face Sporting in the Champions League on November 25, followed by Premier League matches against Brentford and Newcastle.
The immediate priority will be to move United away from the relegation zone and restore consistency to a campaign that has deteriorated despite the club’s ambitions.
Pochettino’s appointment will therefore represent another attempt by United to find a manager capable of restoring the club’s position among England’s leading sides.
