Pochettino agrees in principle to become Man United coach

Mauricio Pochettino has reached a verbal agreement in principle to become the next head coach of Manchester United.

Sky Sports News issued the report on Wednesday with the move following Man United’s dismal Premier League start under Michael Carrick who sits near the relegation zone and is widely expected to be sacked after recent poor results.

Pochettino, who is currently the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) coach, is under contract until 2030.

According to reports, the Argentine tactician would require the Red Devils to pay around £7.4-10 million in compensation plus staff release fees if the appointment proceeds.

Man United confirmed the appointment of Carrick as the club’s permanent head coach in May 2026, ending months of speculation over the managerial position at Old Trafford.

The 44-year-old former midfielder, who had been serving in an interim capacity since January, signed a multi-year contract reportedly running for two years with an option for a further 12 months.

Carrick took charge following the departure of Ruben Amorim earlier this year and oversaw a strong revival in the club’s fortunes.

Under his leadership, United went on a run which saw them win 10 in 15 matches across all competitions, secure qualification for this season’s UEFA Champions League and climbed to third place in the Premier League.

The club’s chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox reportedly recommended Carrick for the role, with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe approving the appointment after talks progressed.

However, Man United appear to be heading towards another managerial change, with Carrick reportedly on the verge of losing his job following a disastrous start to the 2026/27 season.

What initially looked like an opportunity for the former United midfielder to rebuild the club has rapidly turned into a battle for his managerial survival.

The Old Trafford hierarchy is increasingly losing patience with Carrick after a disappointing run of results that has left the 20-time English champions dangerously close to the bottom of the Premier League table.

The current campaign has exposed several weaknesses in his team. United have struggled defensively, dropped valuable points and failed to establish the consistency expected of a club with their history and financial resources.

With United sitting 18th and struggling to find consistency, the club’s leadership is reportedly preparing to make another significant decision about the direction of the team.