Mauricio Pochettino would be open to a move to Manchester United, sources have told ESPN, even though he committed in August to a four-year extension as United States head coach. The Guardian's sources described the interest as mutual.
Michael Carrick is facing the sack at Old Trafford after one win in 10 games left the 20-time English champions in the relegation zone, ESPN reports. ESPN's sources say the club's hierarchy is preparing to dismiss the 45-year-old, with Pochettino the favoured candidate to replace him. The Independent has been told that moves were afoot over Monday to try and get Pochettino in as United manager, and it reports that a final veto will go to the ownership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the Glazer family.
Securing him would be far from cheap, the Guardian reports. Multiple sources told the Guardian his contract has a release clause in the neighborhood of $10m (£7.5m), and the figure grows if United keep his staff, including his longtime assistant Jesús Pérez, who has worked with him for 16 years. ESPN's sources add that an escape clause lets him speak to a major European club if one triggers the $10 million fee. The Athletic first reported the details of the buyout, the Guardian says.
Pochettino was appointed by the US in 2024 and led the team to a last-16 finish at the 2026 World Cup, which the Guardian says by most accounts was a disappointment. After his contract renewal he told reporters that a four-year deal means believing in the whole journey, not just the pay at the end of the month. He then added a line of his own:
"In life, nothing is sure. Less in football."
Pochettino has spoken often about wanting to return to the Premier League. As recently as September he told Sky Sports about the idea of winning the league and "building a project with the possibility of winning". In late 2025 he told the BBC he believed the league was the best in the world, adding: "of course I am missing it. I am so happy in America but am thinking but also thinking one day to come back."
The Guardian considers it highly unlikely he would leave without his staff. It points to Pérez, who has served alongside him at every stop in his coaching career, and to assistants Miki D'Agostino and goalkeeper coach Toni Jiménez, who have been with him since the start.
The Independent names other potential candidates as Eddie Howe, Sebastian Hoeness, Antonio Conte and Julian Nagelsmann, and says reservations over all of them have fed into United's delay in deciding on Carrick's immediate future. Before hiring Pochettino, the Guardian reports, US Soccer also reached out to or spoke to several other high-profile candidates, most notably former Liverpool and current Germany boss Jürgen Klopp.
The Guardian reports that Jason Wilcox, who serves as football director and is heading the review, has not yet reached a final decision. Top-level discussions over the best course of action are still ongoing, the Independent says, so concrete developments could take a few days, if they emerge at all.
The USMNT are only days from two Concacaf Nations League fixtures against Haiti, played in Cincinnati and Miami, and these will be their opening competitive games of the 2030 qualifying campaign. The first leg of the quarterfinal playoff is scheduled for Saturday in Miami, and Pochettino is due to address reporters on Friday afternoon. While Carrick remains in charge, it's uncertain whether United will formally approach Pochettino ahead of the Haiti matches.
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