Manchester United have moved swiftly to appoint Mauricio Pochettino as their new head coach following the dismissal of Michael Carrick, handing the experienced Argentine the responsibility of rebuilding the club’s fortunes.
Pochettino, 54, is expected to take charge at Old Trafford on November 18 after completing his commitments with the United States men’s national team, which he currently manages.
Reports indicate that the former Paris Saint-Germain manager has agreed to a two-and-a-half-year contract that will keep him at Manchester United until June 2029.
His appointment comes at a difficult period for the English club, which has endured one of its worst starts to a Premier League campaign in decades.
United are currently 18th in the league standings, having managed just one victory from their opening 10 matches, leaving the club dangerously close to the relegation zone.
Carrick’s departure followed Sunday’s disappointing 4-4 draw against Aston Villa, which further increased pressure on the former United midfielder.
Although Carrick had guided the club to a third-place finish last season and secured qualification for the UEFA Champions League, his inability to maintain that momentum ultimately cost him his position.
The club’s hierarchy reportedly concluded that a managerial change was necessary to restore competitiveness and prevent further deterioration in the team’s performances.
Pochettino’s appointment is expected to bring a different tactical approach, with the Argentine widely recognised for his attacking philosophy, high-intensity pressing, youth development and ability to build competitive teams.
His managerial career includes successful spells at Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, where he transformed Spurs into serious Premier League title contenders.
At Tottenham, he guided the London club to the 2019 UEFA Champions League final, although they eventually lost 2-0 to Liverpool.
He subsequently managed Paris Saint-Germain, winning the French Ligue 1 title, before taking charge of Chelsea in 2023.
More recently, Pochettino led the United States national team, overseeing preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the country co-hosted alongside Canada and Mexico.
His departure from the American national team will come after the country’s upcoming CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final encounters against Haiti.
Manchester United are reportedly paying compensation to secure his release from his international contract.
Pochettino’s first major assignment will be a daunting Premier League encounter against Liverpool at Anfield on November 22.
The fixture presents an immediate examination of his ability to stabilise a Manchester United side struggling with confidence, defensive inconsistencies and poor results.
Beyond the Liverpool encounter, the Argentine will be expected to restore discipline, improve the team’s attacking efficiency and rebuild the relationship between supporters and the club’s leadership.
His appointment also makes him the latest manager entrusted with restoring Manchester United’s former glory since the retirement of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.
For United supporters, Pochettino’s arrival represents another opportunity to end years of managerial instability and return the club to the summit of English and European football.
