Mauricio Pochettino Interested in Leaving USMNT Job for Manchester United

Mauricio Pochettino could be preparing for an unexpected return to club football, with Manchester United emerging as a potential destination for the current United States men’s national team head coach. Multiple sources have told The Guardian that Pochettino is interested in managing Manchester United, with the interest reportedly mutual.

The possibility comes as Manchester United consider a major change in their managerial position following a difficult start to the season under Michael Carrick. However, bringing Pochettino to Old Trafford would involve significant financial and contractual complications, including a reported release clause worth approximately $10 million (£7.5 million).

Mauricio Pochettino to Manchester United: Release Clause Could Cost $10 Million

Manchester United’s potential pursuit of Pochettino would require negotiations with US Soccer. According to multiple sources familiar with the agreement, the Argentine coach’s contract includes a release clause in the region of $10 million (£7.5 million).

The financial cost could increase if United want to bring Pochettino’s existing coaching staff to Old Trafford. His longtime assistant and close confidant, Jesús Pérez, is particularly important to the manager and has worked alongside him for 16 years.

The Athletic previously reported details of Pochettino’s buyout agreement, highlighting the financial considerations surrounding any potential departure from the United States national team.

For Manchester United, the decision would therefore involve more than simply identifying a new head coach. The club would need to consider the release payment, potential staff costs and the wider structure of a managerial appointment.

Manchester United Consider Managerial Change After Difficult Start

Manchester United’s reported interest in Pochettino comes amid growing uncertainty surrounding Michael Carrick’s position. The club have endured a disastrous opening to their campaign, leaving them at risk of relegation from the Premier League.

Their performances have reportedly represented the club’s worst start to a season in four decades. Such circumstances have increased the pressure on the management structure to consider a change in leadership.

Pochettino’s Premier League experience could make him an appealing candidate. He previously managed Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea, giving him considerable familiarity with English football and the demands of managing at the highest level.

However, no appointment should be treated as confirmed while negotiations and contractual questions remain unresolved.

USMNT Contract Through 2030 Creates Complications

Pochettino joined the United States men’s national team in 2024 and guided the side to the last 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That tournament outcome was widely regarded as disappointing, particularly given the expectations surrounding the national team’s progress.

Despite the result, US Soccer extended Pochettino’s contract through 2030. The agreement reflected a shared commitment to improving the national team’s performances and changing the federation’s broader approach to youth development.

When discussing his contract renewal, Pochettino emphasized that he intended to complete the agreement rather than treat it simply as a financial arrangement.

“Every time we sign a contract, it’s to go to the last day of the contract,” Pochettino told reporters after his contract renewal.

“If we sign a four-year contract, we need to think to arrive there. And we signed the contract because we really believe that we are going to be four years there. Because if not, it’s bad. If we don’t believe in that process, if we don’t believe in that journey, why sign [for] four years? Only to be sure that we are going to receive a salary at the end of the month? That is not nice. It’s not the way that we think. We really signed that contract because we really believe that we can arrive to the end.”

Nevertheless, the Argentine also acknowledged that football rarely offers guarantees, adding: “In life, nothing is sure. Less in football.”

Those comments underline the importance of the commitment he made to US Soccer, but they do not completely rule out a future return to club management.

Why Mauricio Pochettino Could Want to Return to the Premier League

Pochettino has consistently spoken positively about the possibility of returning to the Premier League. Although he has expressed happiness with his work in the United States, he has also made clear that managing a club in England remains an ambition.

In September, he discussed the idea of winning the Premier League with Sky Sports, describing his interest in building a project capable of competing for the title.

He expressed a similar view in late 2025 during an interview with the BBC, praising the quality of English football and acknowledging that he missed working in the country.

“Of course I am missing it. I am so happy in America but am thinking but also thinking one day to come back.”

There are several reasons why Manchester United could appeal to the Argentine. Pochettino is known for enjoying the daily responsibilities of club management, where he can work closely with players and oversee training sessions, tactical development and squad preparation.

He is also widely regarded as a strong man-manager who values close relationships with his players. The regular rhythm of club football could suit his coaching preferences, particularly compared with the different demands of international management.

Another important factor is his personal connection to England. Pochettino maintains a home in London and has frequently spoken positively about British football culture. A Manchester United opportunity could therefore offer a route back to the environment in which he previously built much of his managerial reputation.

Who Could Replace Pochettino as USMNT Head Coach?

If Pochettino decides to leave, US Soccer would not necessarily have to begin its search for a replacement from scratch. The federation is understood to have contingency plans for the possibility of his departure, particularly because the Argentine has attracted interest from major clubs during his time with the national team.

Before appointing Pochettino in 2024, US Soccer had contacted or considered several high-profile coaching candidates. One prominent name was Jürgen Klopp, the former Liverpool manager who is now associated with the Germany football setup.

There are also domestic candidates who could be considered if the federation needs a replacement.

Steve Cherundolo

Steve Cherundolo, currently the USMNT‘s U-23 head coach, could be one option. His existing position within the national-team structure would give him familiarity with the federation’s players, development system and coaching environment.

BJ Callaghan

Nashville SC head coach BJ Callaghan is another potential candidate. He previously served as an interim head coach of the US men’s national team and has continued building his coaching experience in Major League Soccer.

Callaghan’s work with Nashville SC, including guiding the club to a league-record points total during the season described in the report, could strengthen his credentials for consideration.

Why Pochettino’s Departure Could Benefit US Soccer Financially

Although losing Pochettino would represent a significant change for the USMNT, the timing of a potential departure could offer the federation certain advantages.

With a new four-year cycle beginning, an incoming coach would have most of the period available to prepare the national team, develop younger players and establish a long-term football strategy.

US Soccer could also receive a substantial financial payment through Pochettino’s release clause. If the reported buyout figure is accurate, the federation could earn millions of dollars from his departure rather than seeing his contract run down without receiving a comparable payment.

That financial consideration would not automatically make his exit desirable. The federation would still need to weigh the value of continuity under Pochettino against the opportunity to bring in a new coach with enough time to prepare the team for future competitions.

Would Pochettino Leave Without His Coaching Staff?

A potential Manchester United appointment would likely involve another important issue: whether Pochettino would be willing to leave his existing coaching staff behind.

That possibility appears highly unlikely given the close professional relationships he has developed with his assistants throughout his career. Jesús Pérez, his second-in-command, has been alongside him at almost every major stage of his managerial journey.

Pérez began working with Pochettino at Spanish club Espanyol in 2010. Their partnership continued through Southampton, Tottenham Hotspur, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea. Over the years, Pérez has become one of the most consistent figures in Pochettino’s coaching setup.

The relationship extends beyond his longtime assistant. Pochettino also maintains close working connections with Miki D’Agostino, goalkeeper coach Toni Jiménez and other members of his coaching team.

These relationships could make the staffing arrangements an important part of any negotiations with Manchester United. If the club wants Pochettino, it may also need to consider the financial and contractual requirements involved in bringing his trusted assistants to Old Trafford.

What Happens Next in the Pochettino-Manchester United Situation?

The reported mutual interest between Pochettino and Manchester United creates a potentially significant managerial story, but several questions remain unanswered. The reported $10 million release clause, the future of his coaching staff and his existing commitment to US Soccer could all influence the outcome.

The timing is also important for the United States national team. The USMNT are preparing for two Concacaf Nations League matches against Haiti in Cincinnati and Miami. These fixtures are described as the team’s first competitive matches of the 2030 qualifying cycle.

Pochettino is scheduled to address reporters on Friday afternoon, giving him an opportunity to discuss the national team’s immediate priorities. His comments could attract additional attention given the reports linking him with Manchester United.

For Manchester United, the central question is whether the club are prepared to meet the financial demands and build a managerial project around Pochettino. For US Soccer, the challenge would be finding a suitable replacement while protecting the long-term development plans established under his leadership.

At this stage, Pochettino’s possible return to the Premier League remains a developing situation. The reported interest from both sides makes the prospect significant, but a move to Old Trafford will depend on negotiations, contractual arrangements and the decisions of everyone involved.