Mauricio Pochettino is on course to leave the U.S. men’s national team for Manchester United, with the English club preparing to trigger the $10 million release clause in his U.S. Soccer contract and dismiss head coach Michael Carrick.
Pochettino’s representatives are discussing personal terms with United this week, according to CBS Sports. ESPN reported that United has already contacted U.S. Soccer about the buyout. United plan to meet with Carrick on Thursday with the expectation that he will be relieved of his duties after one win in 10 Premier League games left the club in the relegation zone. Pochettino, 54, signed a four-year extension in August that runs to 2030. The contract includes an escape clause that allows him to talk to a major European club if the fee is paid.
For U.S. Soccer, the timing is awkward. The USMNT plays Haiti twice in the Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals, on Saturday in Miami and Tuesday in Cincinnati. Pochettino led Wednesday’s training session at the federation’s National Training Center in Georgia, and a federation source told ESPN the plan is for him to stay for both matches. If he leaves before them, the federation would need a replacement on short notice.
A courtship a decade in the making
Pochettino has been linked with the United job on several previous occasions and lost out each time, a pursuit that dates back a decade, according to BBC Sport. He took the USMNT job in September 2024 and became the federation’s highest-paid coach, a salary that rose again with his extension. His record stands at 21 wins in 45 games, and the team’s run to the World Cup round of 16 this summer ended in a loss to Belgium. Before the USMNT, he built his name at Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.
Defender Antonee Robinson said the players learned about the talks the same way everyone else did. “That news kind of got sprung on us, like the rest of the world,” Robinson said. He added that the players felt lucky to work with a top-level manager and that the talk never leaked into the work.
United would also owe more to hire his staff. ESPN reported the club would likely pay about $2 million beyond the buyout to bring assistant Jesus Perez and the rest of the coaching team. If Pochettino departs before the Haiti matches, the federation’s options include U.S. under-23 coach Steve Cherundolo and under-20 coach Gonzalo Segares, according to ESPN.
The clause itself is unusual. It covers Pochettino alone, not his staff, which means the true cost of hiring him is closer to $12 million. That split is rare in international coaching contracts and helps explain why United’s interest has stayed serious for so long.
Will Pochettino coach the Haiti games? For now, yes. A U.S. Soccer source told ESPN the plan is for him to lead both legs. Midfielder Tyler Adams said the players were focused on the matches. “Until we’re told otherwise, we have an opportunity to work with a great coach,” Adams said.
United’s next match is at Liverpool on Nov. 22. Until the club formally acts, Pochettino remains the USMNT coach preparing for a two-legged tie that could shape the team’s next cycle. Check back for updates.
