Mauricio Pochettino is the new Manchester United manager. AP Photo/Abbie Parr

Mauricio Pochettino confirmed as new Manchester United manager

The former Tottenham boss broke down in tears when talking about decision to leave US job.

LAST UPDATE | 21 hrs ago

MAURICIO POCHETTINO HAS been confirmed as the new head coach of Manchester United, with the Argentinian set to take charge at Old Trafford from next Wednesday.

United announced the appointment on Friday afternoon, but did not specify the length of Pochettino’s contract, which is reported to be an initial two-and-a-half-year deal.

The former Tottenham, Paris St Germain and Chelsea boss had signed a contract extension to remain as head coach of the United States men’s national team through to the 2030 World Cup, but will now be heading to Old Trafford instead.

Pochettino and his staff will remain with the US for their upcoming double-header against Haiti on Saturday and Tuesday before flying out to Manchester.

The news comes following the dismissal of Michael Carrick on Thursday. Pochettino had been strongly linked with the position before Carrick’s departure, with a “verbal agreement in principle” reached earlier this week.

United will hope Pochettino can be the long-term solution they crave after slumping into the Premier League relegation zone with just eight points from 10 games.

Carrick led United to third place last season, having stepped in following Ruben Amorim’s acrimonious January exit, but the head coach has paid the price for overseeing the club’s worst start to a campaign since 1986.

In a statement on Friday, United said that Pochettino is “renowned for his high-intensity, attacking style of football, his dedication to building strong, cohesive teams and his outstanding record of developing individual players.

“Pochettino has consistently performed at the highest level of football across multiple leagues.”

Pochettino’s first game in charge after the international break will be at Anfield as Manchester United travel to take on rivals Liverpool on Sunday 22 November. 

Tears

Pochettino broke down in tears on Friday as he said leaving his role with the United States had been “one of the most difficult decisions” of his whole career.

He became emotional as he expressed his thanks to US Soccer staff at a press conference on Friday.

“It’s difficult now to talk for for me because I am a very emotional guy,” he said.

“I think always when we started to talk about that idea of become a head coach of this amazing country, this amazing federation, we were very excited about that, and to share a project that we really, really believe in, and a project and a programme that we were evolving together…..that is why it makes more difficult that decision. A decision that in some parts is a very sad decision.”

****

View 31 comments
Comments Summary
AI-GENERATED
Fans debate whether Mauricio Pochettino will last long at Manchester United
Where they land
He will either be sacked quickly or struggle despite the move
What they think
Managers never last long at Old Trafford anymore
Leaving the United States job so soon is poor form
Close
31 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel