Mauricio Pochettino appointed as Manchester United head coach to replace Michael Carrick

Manchester United officially announced on November 13, 2026, that Mauricio Pochettino will become the men's head coach. The 54-year-old manager is set to officially assume the role on November 18, 2026. This appointment follows the dismissal of Michael Carrick on November 12, 2026, after the team endured a streak of eight matches without a win.

Club leadership decisions

The decision to appoint Pochettino was made by club leadership, including Director of Football Jason Wilcox and Chief Executive Omar Berrada. The move occurred under the sporting management of Jim Ratcliffe. To facilitate the transition, the club reached an agreement with the United States Soccer Federation to release Pochettino and his staff after their current duties conclude.

Pochettino has served as the United States national team coach since September 2024. He will complete his remaining obligations with the United States national team, including scheduled matches against Haiti on November 14 and November 18, before joining Manchester United. The United States national team recently participated in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they reached the Round of 16 before being eliminated by Belgium.

Carrick departure and performance

The dismissal of Michael Carrick follows a difficult period for the club in the Premier League. Under the management of Carrick this season, the team has recorded only three wins in 15 matches. Manchester United currently sits in 18th place in the Premier League and is located within the relegation zone.

Carrick had previously signed a two-year contract extension in 2026 to manage the team following the departure of Ruben Amorim. His tenure concluded after the team failed to secure a victory in eight consecutive matches. The club is looking to stabilize its performance through the experience of Pochettino, who has previously managed Tottenham, Southampton, Chelsea, Espanyol, and Paris Saint-Germain.

Strategic goals for the club

Manchester United issued an official statement regarding the selection of the new head coach. The club stated that Pochettino is recognized for high-intensity offensive football, building cohesive teams, and player development. The club aims to improve its standing in the Premier League following its current 18th-place position.

The transition marks a significant shift for the club as it attempts to move away from its recent struggles. The leadership team, including Wilcox and Berrada, intends to utilize Pochettino's extensive managerial history to rebuild the squad's competitive edge in domestic and international competitions.

Glossary

• Southampton — Southampton is an English club. The club has signed players such as Cedric.
• Chelsea — Chelsea is a club that has employed managers such as José Mourinho and Luiz Felipe Scolari. The club has also signed various Portuguese players.
• Manchester United — Manchester United is a football club. It competes in the Premier League.
• relegation zone — The relegation zone is a position within a league standings. It is the area where teams located at the bottom of the table sit.
• United States Soccer Federation — The United States Soccer Federation (USSF), or U.S. Soccer, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It serves as the official governing body of soccer in the United States.