Manchester United Appoint Mauricio Pochettino After Sacking Michael Carrick
The former Tottenham and Chelsea manager signs until 2029 and starts on 18 November, after finishing his duties with the United States.
What happened
Manchester United announced on Friday 13 November 2026 that Mauricio Pochettino is their new head coach. The 54-year-old Argentine has signed a contract until the summer of 2029 and starts work on 18 November. He replaces Michael Carrick, who was sacked on Thursday after United's worst start to a Premier League season, which leaves them in the relegation zone after 10 matches.
Pochettino first has to finish his duties as head coach of the United States, who play Haiti on Saturday and again on Tuesday. According to Sky Sports News, United will pay about £7.4m to release him from his US contract.
Why it is being talked about
The appointment moved quickly. Two days earlier, United's director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berrada had met co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in Monaco to recommend Carrick's dismissal. RTÉ reported that Pochettino was the only coach United approached and that he had the unanimous backing of the club's leadership. He becomes United's eighth permanent manager since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
Pochettino brings Premier League experience from Southampton, Tottenham and Chelsea. He led Tottenham to the 2019 Champions League final and won Ligue 1 and the French Cup with Paris Saint-Germain. Earlier in 2026 he took the United States to the last 16 of the World Cup they co-hosted.
Key facts and numbers
- Contract: until summer 2029; starts 18 November.
- Buyout from US Soccer: about £7.4m (Sky Sports News).
- Carrick: sacked on 12 November with United in the relegation zone.
- First match: Liverpool away, 22 November.
What happens next
After Liverpool, United play Sporting in the Champions League on 25 November and Brentford at home on 28 November. US Soccer has started the search for a permanent successor to Pochettino.
