The short version
- Manchester United officials are finalizing plans to dismiss manager Michael Carrick following a poor start to the season that has left the club near the bottom of the table.
- Mauricio Pochettino is prepared to accept an offer from United, requiring a $10 million release fee from the US Soccer Federation, which has a contingency plan in place.
- A decisive meeting in Monaco involving key executives will determine Carrick’s fate and the immediate next steps for the club’s leadership structure.
Manchester United are moving decisively toward a managerial change, with Mauricio Pochettino positioned as the likely successor to Michael Carrick. The Argentine coach is ready to accept an offer from the English club, signaling a significant shift in leadership just months after taking charge of the United States men’s national team. This development follows a difficult period for United, who currently sit 18th in the Premier League, inside the relegation zone, having secured only one victory in their first ten matches and none since August.
The decision to part ways with Carrick is expected to be formalized within the next 48 hours. Key figures in the club’s hierarchy, including chief executive Omar Berrada, director of football Jason Wilcox, and co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, have convened in Monaco for a strategic meeting. While this gathering was originally scheduled as a routine discussion on club strategy, the primary agenda item has shifted to Carrick’s future. Reports indicate that Berrada and Wilcox are expected to recommend his dismissal, a move driven by the team’s poor performance and historic low standing at this stage of the season.
Pochettino’s potential departure from US Soccer represents a complex logistical and diplomatic challenge. The United States Soccer Federation is anticipating an official approach from Manchester United and has reportedly established a succession plan to manage the transition. Pochettino, who signed his contract with the US federation in August, is understood to want to remain respectful of his current employers. He intends to wait for a formal offer from United before making any moves, acknowledging the need for proper protocol despite his strong interest in the Old Trafford role.
The financial implications of this transfer are significant. Manchester United would be required to pay approximately $10 million, or £7.5 million, to release Pochettino from his existing contract. This fee reflects the relatively short time he has been with the national team and the value placed on his experience. The club’s willingness to incur this cost underscores their urgency in addressing the managerial vacuum and stabilizing a squad that has struggled to find form under Carrick’s guidance.
Timing remains a critical factor in this transition. The US men’s national team is scheduled to play a two-legged Concacaf Nations League quarter-final against Haiti in the coming week. It is unclear whether Pochettino will oversee these matches or depart immediately upon United’s formal offer. If he stays for the games, he would face a grueling schedule, traveling from a match ending early Wednesday morning directly to Manchester’s Carrington training base to prepare for United’s fixture against Liverpool on November 22.
This situation mirrors previous managerial transitions in English football, where clubs often engage with potential replacements before officially dismissing their current coaches. Historical precedents include Jose Mourinho’s appointment at United in 2016 and Roberto Mancini’s arrival at Manchester City in 2009, both of which involved overlapping negotiations. Such practices are common in the modern game, where agents and clubs gauge interest and secure terms well in advance to ensure a smooth handover.
Pochettino brings extensive Premier League experience to the table, having previously managed Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, and Chelsea. His tenure at Tottenham included a run to the Champions League final, while his time at Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain further solidified his reputation as a top-tier coach. He also led the US national team to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup, demonstrating his ability to perform on international stages. United have spoken with him about managerial roles on three previous occasions, indicating a long-standing mutual interest.
The coming days will be pivotal for Manchester United. Clarity on Carrick’s dismissal is expected by Wednesday, which would trigger the final stages of negotiations with Pochettino. The club faces the dual challenge of managing the immediate fallout from a managerial change and integrating a new leader who may arrive under tight deadlines. As the Monaco meeting concludes, the pieces of this managerial jigsaw are set to fall into place, marking a fresh start for a club desperate to escape the lower reaches of the league table.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗Pochettino ready to accept Man Utd offer to replace Carrick
