Manchester United has officially announced the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as its new manager. The confirmation comes after days of speculation about the club's managerial position. Pochettino, an Argentine coach, joins Manchester United after leaving his role as the manager of the United States national team. His appointment was made possible after Manchester United agreed to a compensation package with the US Soccer Federation, which Pochettino was contracted to until November 2026.

Mauricio Pochettino has a rich managerial experience, having started his coaching career in 2009 with Espanyol in Spain. He went on to manage Southampton for a season before joining Tottenham Hotspur in 2014, where he spent five years. During his tenure at Tottenham, Pochettino led the team to the UEFA Champions League final in 2019, where they lost to Liverpool 2-0. He then managed Paris Saint-Germain from January 2021 to July 2022, winning the league title, and later coached Chelsea from May 2023 to May 2024.

Pochettino's appointment at Manchester United comes after the club parted ways with Michael Carrick, who had been serving as the interim manager since January 2026. Carrick was given a permanent contract extension until 2028 in the summer of 2026 but has now been succeeded by Pochettino. The Argentine coach has signed a contract with Manchester United that will keep him at the club until 2030, with an option for a further two and a half years.

Manchester United's decision to appoint Pochettino is seen as a significant move to revamp the team. The club has had a disappointing start to the 2026-2027 English Premier League season, currently sitting 18th with eight points from 10 matches. Pochettino's experience in managing top-tier teams and his success with PSG and Tottenham will be crucial in turning the club's fortunes around.

The financial details of Pochettino's appointment have not been fully disclosed, but it is reported that Manchester United will pay a compensation fee of $10 million to the US Soccer Federation for his release. Pochettino's contract with Chelsea, which he signed in the summer of 2023, was set to run until 2030.

Pochettino's managerial style and tactics will be closely watched by Manchester United fans, who have been eagerly waiting for a successful season. His experience in managing teams in top European competitions will be an asset for Manchester United, who aim to return to the top of English football.

With Pochettino at the helm, Manchester United will look to improve their current league position and make a strong challenge for the top spots. The club's hierarchy has expressed confidence in Pochettino's abilities, and fans will be hoping that he can bring success to the team.

Key points

  • Manchester United appoints Mauricio Pochettino as new manager, succeeding Michael Carrick.

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SaharaWire Newsroom
SaharaWire

Reporting for SaharaWire from the Nairobi bureau.