Manchester United appoint Mauricio Pochettino as head coach

The club changed its head coach amid its worst start in 40 years

Manchester United have officially confirmed the appointment of Mauricio Pochettino as head coach — this came the day after Michael Carrick was dismissed, Anadolu reports. The 54-year-old Argentine will take up his duties on November 18, having wrapped up his affairs with the United States national team. According to media outlets cited by the agency, he has agreed to a two-and-a-half-year contract.

Leaving the US national team and the price of the move

Pochettino is leaving the United States national team just three months after extending his contract through the 2030 World Cup; under his guidance the Americans reached the round of 16 at the recent World Cup. Kun.uz adds details: the club reached an agreement with the US Soccer Federation to release Pochettino and his staff from their obligations to the national team, and according to The Irish Times, cited by the outlet, the compensation amounted to about $10 million. Carrick, a former player of the club, had been in charge of the team since January 2026 and was dismissed on November 12.

The coach's career and a debut against Liverpool

Pochettino began his career in 2009 at Espanyol, then worked with Southampton and Tottenham, reaching the Champions League final with the latter in 2019. In 2021 he took over PSG and won the French championship, Cup and Super Cup with the Parisians, and in 2023–2024 he managed Chelsea. His first match in the new role will be against Liverpool on November 22.

Why the appointment took so long and what awaits the team

Kun.uz recalls that the club could have brought in Pochettino earlier: in 2016 he was recommended to the leadership by Sir Alex Ferguson, but José Mourinho was chosen instead, and in 2022 the club preferred Erik ten Hag. After the 2026 World Cup, the coach, according to the outlet, was waiting for an offer from United, but the club expressed confidence in Carrick, and the Argentine extended his contract with the US national team. The outlet also describes the specialist's style: an emphasis on physical conditioning, intense play and powerful pressing — defender Toby Alderweireld compared his training sessions at Tottenham to military service. In Kun.uz's assessment, this approach suits the current squad, which lacks stamina, while for young players such as Kobbie Mainoo, Carlos Baleba, Amad Diallo and Leny Yoro the appointment offers a chance to develop. The tafs.uz editorial team notes: the assessment of how well the coach's style fits the team is the outlet's judgment, not an official club statement. The situation is complicated by the league standing: after 10 rounds the team sits 18th out of 20 with 8 points — the worst league start in 40 years.