Mauricio Pochettino, who energized the US soccer team at the World Cup, is closing in on a deal to become manager of Manchester United in the English Premier League, just as the US prepares to open Nations League play Saturday against Haiti.
The news that Pochettino was closing in on a deal was reported Thursday by the Associated Press, two days before the US team was set to play Haiti. The Argentine coach had signed a four-year extension in August to lead the US through the 2030 World Cup, but left himself an out with a break clause in the contract.
Pochettino, a former Argentina player, had never coached a national team before taking over the US program in 2024. He previously led Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain in European club football. The US won consecutive games for the first time since 1930, advanced from the group stage with a game to spare, and set a mark of three wins at a single tournament. The run included a 2-0 victory over Australia and an outpouring of fan emotion, with stadiums erupting in "Country Roads" sing-alongs and record television audiences.
Pochettino reflected on the magic of the tournament and the connection he felt. “Today, even if I’m not American, after the game I was emotional,” he said. “It was an amazing and perfect connection between the energy from the stands and the team.” He acknowledged the uncertainty of the profession when he signed the extension: “Four years time is a really long period. You never know what can happen in soccer. Today people really love you. In eight weeks time, maybe that change(s), that feeling.”
Manchester United had long admired Pochettino, and the break clause allowed the club to make its move as it struggled this season under Carrick. United is currently in 18th place among 20 Premier League clubs and faces possible relegation if the season ended today. Pochettino would be asked to rescue the team from that humiliation.
US players credited Pochettino with instilling a tougher, more resilient mindset. Striker Folarin Balogun said Pochettino raised the standard of play. “He’s laid the foundation and I think us the players have that ownership, to not just do that because Poch was in charge,” Balogun said. “Whether he’s here or whether he’s not, the U.S. will look to replace him with another top coach.”
As Pochettino closes in on a deal, US soccer officials will likely move quickly to find a new coach for the 2030 World Cup. According to reports, they have their eyes on one of the biggest names in the sport: Pep Guardiola of Spain, who has won championships with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City. Guardiola, 55, has never coached a national team. Other possibilities include MLS coaches; American coaches such as Bruce Arena, Bob Bradley and Gregg Berhalter have taken the US to the knockout stages in previous World Cups.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Pochettino's departure would disrupt the US team's momentum just as preparations for the 2030 World Cup begin.
- Manchester United's potential hiring of Pochettino could revive the club's fortunes if he can replicate his success from Tottenham and PSG.
- The search for a replacement may test whether the US can attract a coach of Guardiola's stature.
Background
Mauricio Pochettino took over the US men's national team in 2024, his first national-team job. He had previously managed Tottenham, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain in European club football. Under his leadership, the US achieved its best World Cup results in decades, including three wins and consecutive group-stage victories for the first time since 1930. He signed a four-year contract extension in August 2026. Manchester United, a historically dominant English club, is currently near the bottom of the Premier League standings.
Key Perspectives
Players: Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter and striker Folarin Balogun praised Pochettino for raising standards and instilling pride and resilience.
US Soccer officials: According to reports, they have identified Pep Guardiola as a target to replace Pochettino.
Pochettino: He acknowledged the uncertainty in coaching, saying "you never know what can happen in soccer" when he signed his extension.
What to Watch
- Whether Pochettino's deal with Manchester United is finalized in the coming days.
- How the US performs in Nations League play under an interim coach or Pochettino's last games.
- Whether US officials can secure Guardiola or another high-profile coach for the 2030 cycle.
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedPochettino is on the brink of leaving the US national team for a Manchester United role.OPB: “Pochettino on Thursday was closing in on a deal to be the new manager at Manchester United in England’s Premier League.”
- SupportedPochettino led a US resurgence at the World Cup.OPB: “Argentine coach led an American resurgence”
- SupportedPochettino is closing in on a Manchester United deal as the US prepares to play Haiti on Saturday.OPB: “The news came two days before the U.S. national team was set to open Concacaf Nations League play Saturday against Haiti.”
- SupportedThe news of the deal was reported Thursday by the Associated Press.OPB: “Pochettino on Thursday was closing in on a deal to be the new manager at Manchester United in England’s Premier League. [...] AP Sports Writer Graham Dunbar contributed from Geneva.”
- SupportedPochettino signed a four-year extension in August to lead the US through the 2030 World Cup.OPB: “Pochettino signed a four-year extension to lead a group of rising and talented players through the 2030 World Cup.”
- SupportedPochettino’s contract included a break clause.OPB: “He has been long admired by Manchester United, and a break clause in his U.S. contract opened the door for United to make its move”
- SupportedPochettino said, “Today, even if I’m not American, after the game I was emotional,” and described a connection between the stands and the team.OPB: ““Today, even if I’m not American, after the game I was emotional,” Pochettino said. “It was an amazing and perfect connection between the energy from the stands and the team.””
- SupportedPochettino said, “Four years time is a really long period. You never know what can happen in soccer,” and that people’s feelings might change.OPB: ““Four years time is a really long period. You never know what can happen in soccer,” Pochettino said. “Today people really love you. In eight weeks time, maybe that change(s), that feeling.””
- Partly supportedThe US won consecutive games for the first time since 1930.OPB: “Playing on home soil, the U.S. won consecutive games at the World Cup for the first time since 1930”
- SupportedBalogun said, “He’s laid the foundation and I think us the players have that ownership, to not just do that because Poch was in charge,” and that the US would look to replace Pochettino with another top coach.OPB: ““He’s laid the foundation and I think us the players have that ownership, to not just do that because Poch was in charge,” Balogun said. “Whether he’s here or whether he’s not, the U.S. will look to replace him with another top coach.””
- SupportedManchester United is 18th among 20 clubs and would be relegated if the season ended that day.OPB: “the club is currently in 18th out of 20 clubs. If the season ended today, it would be relegated to a lower division.”